Matthew Stafford's progress takes big step but Rams fans aren’t exhaling yet

It's time for the Los Angeles Rams to remove the bumper pads from Matthew Stafford's bowling alley. Whether nobody has been correct, everybody has been correct, or only some people have been correct is not the issue. Even medical specialists, who have had years of professional training, have only been able to make speculative guesses as to Stafford's care plan and timeline.

It's safe to agree that the primary goal is to ensure that Stafford's complete recovery is the top priority for the team right now. Secondary to that is to get him back on the football field as quickly and as safely as possible. Thirdly, getting him ready for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season to face the Houston Texans is a priority.

But to do that, the Rams must transition from the treadmill and stretching exercises to activities that resemble football-related actions. Per NBC Sports Pro Football Talk NFL Insider Mike Florio, an unnamed source from the Rams organization suggests that the team will be advancing Stafford's care plan to include on-field work in the near future.

But that is still simply the next step to the long road to recovery.

Rams fans get much-needed cautiously optimistic Matthew Stafford injury update

As the urgency to break news at the moment it arrives, the path of NFL stories takes one of two directions. But the truth about this new injury information is neither a cause for heightened concern, nor is it an opportunity to conclude that all's well, and that all of the rapidly updated information was simply clickbait.

Related: Rams fans may want to brace for what Stafford’s absence is signaling

The truth lies between the two extremes. Let me explain: The fact that Matthew Stafford is advancing to on-field activities is no more a sign that all is well than a person with a compound fracture on their leg is ready to race as soon as they get a walking cast. For every new step forward, the training staff and medical professionals will be monitoring his progress and providing feedback.

How will he respond? Nobody knows yet. And so, as he begins to inch ever closer to football, he will be checked for range of motion, pain, durability, stamina, strength, and post-workout comfort levels. Things may go smoothly. But his recovery may not advance in a straight line. And that's okay, too.

With any injury, there are steps to a care plan, and there are inherent risks. Right now, the team is cautiously optimistic that Matthew Stafford is on the road to recovery. And he may be. But this is by no means a done deal. Eventually, he will need to demonstrate that he can take a hit and get back up without pain before he can be medically cleared to start for the Rams.

In spite of this positive development, that step stills feels weeks away.

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