Matthew Stafford just changed everything with one throw at Rams practice

The Los Angeles Rams haven’t offered much of an update on Matthew Stafford, but the picture is becoming clear. A video of the 37-year-old slinging passes in full pads at practice says more than any press release. It’s the first real football glimpse of Stafford this offseason, and it feels like the team and quarterback saved the best for last.

Were you worried? You had every reason to be. Most of the reports that trickled out leaned negative, and the underlying facts didn’t exactly scream an ‘all clear’ outcome. But this turned out to be a case where patience paid off. The Rams immediately brought in top medical care, gave Stafford the time he needed to rest, and now it looks like that decision has finally paid dividends.

This is a massive boost with their starting quarterback finally back on the field with the first-team offense. After weeks, maybe even months, without football activity, the unit finally has a chance to sync up. Stafford and his receivers now have time to rebuild timing and rhythm, chemistry that will matter long after September. Until kickoff, though, that connection remains in catch-up mode.

Matthew Stafford is back at practice, but Rams are not out of the woods yet

While you may be tempted to heave a sigh of relief and call it done, don’t rush there just yet. This is a big step forward, but every player who’s sat out with an injury knows getting back on the practice field is when the real work starts.

The team has practically bubble-wrapped Stafford to this point, carefully controlling his motions, exertions, and activities to limit stress and promote healing. But now that he’s in pads, back on the field, and running practice reps, those unpredictable football forces, the bumps, tweaks, and random contact, are back in play.

Just a week ago, the veteran quarterback made an unexpected trip to the Ammortal Chamber. Those visits may well become routine. Back pain rarely disappears entirely—it lingers. What starts as a stabbing jolt often dulls into the feeling of being punched with a pillow on a bruise. As long as it stays in that manageable range, there are ways to keep it under control.

But any effect on Stafford’s range of motion, or the mechanics of his throwing, would be another matter entirely. The training staff will need to keep a close eye on him in the days ahead to make sure nothing in his motion gets unintentionally altered.

And per Gary Klein, even Rams head coach Sean McVay is unwilling to claim he has his starter back for Week 1:

There’s no need to dismiss or mock the concerns that come with this uncertainty, or the uncertainty still ahead. LA is taking a cautious approach because the situation is loaded with potential setbacks. Rushing Stafford’s rehab just to get him back on the field would be reckless.

The Rams’ starting quarterback is making progress toward being ready for Week 1. But even now, he’s only just getting back into practice, trying to make up for the dozens of sessions he’s already missed. Patience isn’t just a virtue at this point... it’s a necessity. As always, thanks for reading.

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