Matthew Stafford’s return takes another strange turn fans didn’t see coming

The saga of Los Angeles Rams starting quarterback Matthew Stafford is a pendulum that swings back and forth. Like a tale from horror master Edgar Allan Poe, the momentum of Stafford's return to health leaves fans balancing on the razor's edge of "Will he or won't he?" When he first showed up with back pain, the ramifications were downplayed.

As details unfolded, the alarms sounded. This was not a matter for a massage therapist to work out of his sore back. This was something more sinister, requiring the oversight of Orthopaedic Back Surgeon, Dr. Robert G Watkins IV. But once again, updates reeled anxious fans back in, reassuring them that this is all part of the plan. And after a successful run through of tossing 60+ passes, the team and the fans were prepared to see Stafford back in uniform on Monday.

Only that didn't happen. He arrived in street clothes. He won't be throwing. And everything fans thought they knew is being questioned once more.

Matthew Stafford's road to recovery hits another snag

Contrary to what was planned, Stafford didn't suit up. So, what is he doing? Well, thanks to Rams beat reporter Adam Grosbard, fans now know Stafford reportedly entered an Ammortal chamber instead of practicing.

Let's take a deep breath. An Ammortal chamber is not some high-tech medical equipment, like a Da Vinci robotic surgical arm. Rather, it is a non-medical therapeutic device that is gaining popularity among professional sports teams. Here is what Athletech News reports about the device:

"The Ammortal Chamber combines modalities like red light, molecular hydrogen, and more into one experience. It’s seeing early interest from the Denver Broncos, among other big names.

Ammortal has an answer: combine multiple modalities into a single experience that improves physical performance, calms the nervous system, supports cellular health, and more.

Ammortal grounds the next-gen experience with soothing music while a friendly voiceover guides users through, providing breathwork and meditation instructions along with general support. Sessions are personalized, and last either 15, 25, or 50 minutes." - per Athletech News

This is a device that is essentially a high-tech device that promotes healing while affording a pleasant, almost tanning bed-like experience. According to the manufacturer, users experience calm, energetic boosts and pain relief. But I was unable to confirm with independent studies.

This may simply be the Rams sticking to their very conservative approach to easing Stafford back into football. This could be his need to address significant pain. Or this development may simply fall somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. But it's rather apparent that any comment suggesting that "He could play today," seems to be an extreme stretch.

Stay tuned. As we cautioned all along, we are not out of the woods just yet. This may not be a setback. It's simply proof that his injury is complex and that the path to his recovery is not going to be a straight line. As always, thanks for reading.

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