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Rams may be forced to take drastic action after alarming Matthew Stafford update

The Rams cannot sit this one out. If the team believe Matthew Stafford has the slightest risk of not suiting up for Week 1, they have to shop now.

ByMichael Ferro|
Los Angeles Rams & Dallas Cowboys Joint Practice
Los Angeles Rams & Dallas Cowboys Joint Practice | Ric Tapia/GettyImages

So far, the Los Angeles Rams training camp has been injury-plagued, and on Wednesday, that sadly continued. According to a team spokesperson, quarterback Matthew Stafford could not finish Wednesday's joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys due to some hamstring tightness. While this news is the last thing the Rams and their fans want to hear, him not finishing practice was a precautionary move, as mentioned by senior staff writer Stu Jackson.

However, precautionary moves typically prevent injuries, not prevent aggravating an injury. And the mention of hamstring tightness in multiple reports confirms that something was amiss with the team's veteran quarterback.

Still, this should cause some concern as the 36-year-old quarterback isn't getting younger and is vital to this team. With backup QB Jimmy Garapolo having a suspension for the first two games and Stetson Bennett not being quite ready to take regular-season snaps under center, the Rams may need to look elsewhere as a backup plan in case Stafford is seriously injured.

And unlike other situations when the Rams have landed a just-released veteran QB, the market for competent veterans is drying up.

Free agent QB Ryan Tannehill is a good security blanket option

Veteran-free agent Ryan Tannehill is still out there for the taking, and if Stafford's hamstring is a concern, he might be the guy to go and get. Tannehill, 36 years old, has played 155 games in his career and has had some decent success, most recently with the Tennesee Titans. He brought the Titans to the playoffs three straight seasons, 2019-2021, and has shown reliability when a team calls for it.

Now, Tannehill is no Matthew Stafford, and if the Rams want to get back to the playoffs and be a serious contender this year, Stafford needs to be healthy all season. But injuries happen all the time in football, as we've seen, so this might be the action the Rams need to consider. We will find out more information on that hamstring in the coming days.

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