Rams Injury Updates: Matthew Stafford, Jared Verse, Kevin Dotson, Poona Ford & Kobie Turner

One of the main goals for any team in training camp is to get through it as healthy as possible. For the Los Angeles Rams, that has been a bit of a struggle, primarily in regards to quarterback Matthew Stafford.

And following practice on Thursday, head coach Sean McVay basically confirmed the previous reports regarding Stafford dealing with an aggravated disc in his back, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:

“That’s nothing new in terms of what’s been reported on Matthew. The aggravated disc is what led to the sore back,” McVay said after Thursday’s practice. “So all those things are true, and part of getting the epidural was part of the plans dealing with (back specialist) Dr. (Robert) Watkins in terms of what we felt like was the best case and best scenario to be able to allow him to be as healthy as possible.”

McVay would continue on, outlining the plan he and the staff have envisioned for Stafford as he begins to return to the practice field:

“August 8th was always kind of that day,” McVay said. “Our players end up being, the day before the preseason game, we just have a modified workload, but Saturday for the guys not playing in that preseason game will represent a great opportunity for Matthew to really start getting out on the field with his guys, and then whenever we come back on Monday, you’ll start to see him take part in individuals, all those things, which is exactly what was on par with the plan. And then you’ll start to see him get into practice with our group. Because of the uncontrolled parameters when we do go against the Chargers, we’ll hold him out of that practice. And then you’ll just continue to see his workload increase as long as he’s feeling good.”

Getting Stafford healthy and ready for the regular season is undoubtedly the top priority, but there have been a couple of other injury issues popping up on the roster as well. Outside linebacker Jared Verse left practice early on Thursday after bumping knees, though it seems to be a minor issue:

Additionally, outside linebacker Jared Verse left Thursday’s practice early after “bumping knees” with defensive end Braden Fiske.

“And so we’ll hope that he ends up being okay off of that,” McVay said of Verse. Verse posted on X Thursday afternoon that he was “fine.”

Offensive lineman Kevin Dotson and defensive tackle Poona Ford also picked up minor injuries during the Rams’ joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday and were held out of practice Thursday, but it was more precautionary than anything:

McVay also said that offensive lineman Kevin Dotson sustained a chest contusion and defensive tackle Poona Ford “had a little bit of groin soreness” coming out of Tuesday’s joint practice with the Cowboys. Although neither player practiced Thursday, McVay said it was because the team “erred on the side of caution” with both.

Something that could be a bit more serious involves defensive tackle Kobie Turner, who is also dealing with a back issue and is considered week-to-week, via Greg Beacham of The Associated Press: