Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Matthew Stafford news still doesn't erase concerns regarding his durability

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 4:19 PM ET

Los Angeles Rams fans should still be worried about quarterback Matthew Stafford's lingering back issue.

Stafford has missed all of training camp because of the injury. L.A. head coach Sean McVay has said he will miss joint practices with the Dallas Cowboys this week. ESPN's Adam Schefter believes it's not a cause for concern and expects him to play in Week 1 at home against the Houston Texans at 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS).

"I don't think it's ideal when your quarterback hasn't practiced yet and it's the first week in practice," Schefter said Tuesday on his podcast. "But my understanding is that this is a total maintenance issue."

Though Matthew Stafford hasn’t practiced at this summer’s training camp due to his back injury, it does not sound like an issue that will prevent him for being ready for opening day vs. the Texans.

Cc: @tyschmit

https://t.co/qMoxSzcwWS pic.twitter.com/d4cSlibSY2
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 5, 2025

Schefter then explained it doesn't make sense to put the 37-year-old QB at risk when he already knows the team's offense.

"[The Rams] don't want to put any wear and tear on his body," Schefter said. "He knows how the game works. He knows how this offense functions. He knows how his teammates think and operate, so they are intentionally keeping him out in the interest of maintenance, self-preservation, and just wise caution."

Stafford, a Super Bowl LVI champion, has played four seasons under McVay but is still missing out on valuable reps.

This offseason, the Rams signed six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Davante Adams to a two-year deal. He could use camp to build a rapport with Stafford.

More importantly, the back issue adds to Stafford's list of injuries. Over the past three seasons, he has suffered a thumb, rib and spine injuries and a concussion.

Rams backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo has a 43-21 starting record in the regular season but is injury-prone. He had ankle, knee and shoulder issues in six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

L.A. needs Stafford to stay healthy for most of the season, or things could go sideways. The Rams finished 5-12 when he missed eight games during the 2022 season.

While it sounds like he will play Week 1, the QB's durability remains one of the Rams' biggest questions heading into the season.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

More must-reads: