Stafford (neck) said Monday that he expects to avoid surgery to address his spinal cord contusion and plans to be a full participant for OTAs in April, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports. "I had obviously the thumb a couple years ago, and then elbow stuff that I wasn't able to really participate in a whole lot of stuff when it comes to throwing the football for a long time," Stafford said. "So to be able to do that at a way more regular pace, which is exciting for me as a player, that's what I want to do. I want to be out there, I want to be able to throw and be a part of the team."
Analysis: After guiding the Rams to a Super Bowl title in his first season with the team in 2021, Stafford didn't throw in offseason workouts last spring while he battled elbow tendinitis. Even though he concluded the 2022 campaign on injured reserve, Stafford looks like he'll enter the Rams' offseason program more healthy than he was at the same point a year ago. Having received assurances from doctors that he won't require a potentially career-threatening surgery for his spinal cord, the 34-year-old Stafford has dismissed the possibility of retirement and also noted Monday that he remains committed to the Rams in spite of the uncertainty of whether head coach Sean McVay will stick with the organization in 2023.
Jan 10, 2023 2:56 PM EST
Stafford (neck) said Tuesday he has no plans to retire, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
Analysis: Stafford simply responded "no" when asked if he intends to retire on "The Morning After" podcast, hosted by his wife Kelly. The veteran quarterback won't play again in 2022 due to a spinal cord contusion, but he's expected to avoid any sort of offseason procedure and instead make a full recovery through rehab. The 34-year-old signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension with the Rams last March, all of which is guaranteed for injury, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. It's possible the 34-year-old could be medically cleared in time for OTAs this spring, but for the time being the Rams look set to roll with Baker Mayfield for the remainder of the 2022 campaign.
Dec 20, 2022 7:30 AM EST
Rams head coach Sean McVay said Friday that Stafford won't require any sort of procedure while the quarterback recovers from a spinal cord contusion, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Though some observers around the league speculated that Stafford might need surgery to address the injury if he wanted to keep his career going, McVay was adamant that the 34-year-old will be able to make a full recovery through rest and rehab and is expected to have a healthy offseason. While Stafford is on the mend, the Rams plan to finish out their season with waiver pickup Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback. Stafford could receive full medical clearance ahead of OTAs in the spring as he heads into the first season of the four-year, $160 million contract extension he inked last March.
Dec 9, 2022 3:44 PM EST
Coach Sean McVay said Monday that Stafford's neck injury isn't a long-term issue, and the quarterback is expected to have a "healthy offseason," Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: This essentially confirms Stafford is done for the year, which was expected after he was placed on IR ahead of Sunday's loss to Seattle due to a spinal cord contusion. However, this appears to be a promising update for the future, as a healthy offseason should allow Stafford to work out some of the kinks that led to a disappointing 2022 campaign.
Dec 5, 2022 10:57 AM EST
Coach Sean McVay said Sunday that Stafford is dealing with a spinal cord contusion and will likely miss the remainder of the season, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Stafford was placed on injured reserve Saturday and was ineligible to return until at least Week 17, and he'll likely be held out given the nature of his injury. The 34-year-old had also spent time in the league's concussion protocols in recent weeks and has appeared in just nine games this year. If he's shut down for the season, he'll finish the year having completed 68.0 percent of his pass attempts for 2,087 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions while rushing 13 times for nine yards and a score. John Wolford will likely continue to serve as the Rams' starting quarterback in Stafford's absence.
Dec 4, 2022 4:34 PM EST
Stafford (neck) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Stafford is eligible to return in Week 17, but given the Rams' record through 13 weeks, it's hard to imagine the team will have much incentive to activate the Super Bowl winning QB in what amounts to a lost season. The veteran quarterback began the year with questions regarding his damaged elbow, but Stafford seemed to ease those concerns with six consecutive weeks throwing for no less than 240 yards. While his 10:8 TD:INT ratio will go down as one of the worst rates in his career, it's hard to fault Stafford too much given the litany of injuries and poor play among the Rams' pass catchers. It's possible the Rams and Stafford could revisit the medical gameplan regarding his elbow given the 34-year-old now has an elongated recovery timeline, but expect more clarity on that situation to occur over the coming weeks.
Dec 3, 2022 11:43 AM EST
Stafford (neck) won't play in Sunday's game against Seattle and remains uncertain to return this season despite clearing concussion protocol this week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: The Rams still have a ton of injuries on the offensive line and aren't realistically in the playoff hunt, so Stafford might be shut down even if he's medically cleared to play. He's dealing with a neck injury in addition to his second stint this season in concussion protocol, leaving John Wolford as the starter Sunday against the Seahawks, though coach Sean McVay suggested he could also use Perkins, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Dec 2, 2022 11:18 AM EST
Coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that it's "safe to say" Stafford (concussion/neck) isn't in line to play Sunday against the Seahawks, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: McVay relayed that tidbit after telling Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com that Stafford still is in the concussion protocol and will be held out of practice Wednesday. Stafford hasn't made any noticeable progress through the protocol, and assuming he's eventually ruled out for Week 13 action, McVay will have to choose between John Wolford and Bryce Perkins as the Rams' starting quarterback this weekend.
Nov 30, 2022 12:00 PM EST
Stafford (neck), who has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Chiefs, is showing improvement with his symptoms as he navigates the NFL's concussion protocol, and the Rams appear to view him as week-to-week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Stafford was diagnosed with a concussion following the Rams' Week 9 loss to the Buccaneers, resulting in him being ruled out for his first game of the season in the team's Week 10 loss to the Cardinals. He returned to the lineup Week 11, only to exit early in the Rams' loss to the Saints after re-entering the concussion protocol. According to sources familiar with the situation, Rapoport notes that Stafford hasn't been officially diagnosed with another concussion, but the quarterback is dealing with crossover symptoms that has kept him in the protocol for the second time in three weeks out of an abundance of caution. Notably, head coach Sean McVay said that Stafford is dealing with a neck strain and experienced numbness in his legs after taking a hard hit against the Saints, but those symptoms have reportedly dissipated over the past few days. Even though the Rams enter Sunday's game sitting on a 3-7 record and will be heavy underdogs against the Chiefs with the unproven Bryce Perkins set to make his first career NFL start in Stafford's stead, the organization isn't yet considering shutting the 34-year-old signal-caller down for the season. The Rams will likely wait and see what progress, if any, Stafford demonstrates during their next three practices before deciding if he's ready to return to the lineup Week 13 for a divisional game against the Seahawks.
Nov 27, 2022 7:31 AM EST
The Rams are uncertain if Stafford (neck/concussion) will be available to play again this season, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: After he entered the concussion protocol for the second time in less than a month following his early exit from the Rams' Week 11 loss to the Saints, Stafford didn't practice in any fashion this week before being ruled out ahead of Sunday's game in Kansas City. As Schefter notes, Stafford suffered a strained neck in the game against the Saints, but the Rams haven't been able to confirm that he sustained another concussion, in spite of his inclusion in the protocol. However, with head coach Sean McVay noting that Stafford was experiencing some numbness in his legs after taking a hit in the game against the Saints, the 3-7 Rams could be inclined to take a cautious approach with the 34-year-old. Despite their unfavorable position in the NFC playoff picture, the Rams aren't yet planning to shut Stafford down completely, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. With that in mind, Stafford looks like he'll avoid being placed on injured reserve for the time being and will be evaluated on a game-by-game basis.
Nov 27, 2022 5:29 AM EST
Coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that Stafford won't play Sunday at Kansas City due to a neck issue, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: McVay added that Stafford also is in the protocol for head injuries, the second time he's found himself there in three weeks, but that doesn't necessarily mean the quarterback has a concussion. According to Barshop, Stafford's early departure this past Sunday in New Orleans stemmed from him feeling numbness in his legs following a hit. Considering the NFL expanded the symptoms required for entry into the concussion protocol earlier this season, it likely explains Stafford's current situation. In any case, with John Wolford dealing with a neck injury of his own, Bryce Perkins is expected to take most of the first-team reps during Week 12 prep and potentially be the Rams' starting quarterback Sunday, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Nov 23, 2022 1:22 PM EST
After undergoing further testing Monday, the Rams have yet to place Stafford in the NFL's concussion protocol, Skyler Carlin of USA Today reports.
Analysis: At this stage, the QB is still being evaluated and coach Sean McVay said that it's unclear if Stafford -- who was replaced by Bryce Perkins during Sunday's loss to the Saints -- will be placed in the protocol ahead of this weekend's game against the Chiefs. The Rams' Week 12 signal-caller situation is thus TBD, given Stafford's uncertain status, as well as the fact that John Wolford was inactive versus New Orleans due to a neck injury.
Nov 21, 2022 3:04 PM EST
Stafford isn't in the concussion protocol after Sunday's 27-20 loss at New Orleans, but he's slated for additional tests Monday and/or Tuesday to determine if he'll enter it, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Stafford departed in the third quarter to be evaluated for a head injury, and it's unknown whether or not he sustained one. Previously, he didn't enter the protocol until the Tuesday after a loss at Tampa Bay on Sunday, Nov. 6, so there is precedence for such a late diagnosis for Stafford. With John Wolford inactive this Sunday due to a neck injury, Bryce Perkins took over under center for Stafford, completing five of 10 passes for 64 yards and recording five carries for 39 yards.
Nov 20, 2022 2:10 PM EST
Stafford is being evaluated for a concussion during Sunday's game against the Saints.
Analysis: With Stafford out of the game, Bryce Perkins is now in at QB for the Rams. Stafford was inactive last week due to a concussion, but cleared ahead of this Sunday's game. Prior to his exit, Stafford completed 11 of 18 passes for 159 yards and two TDs.
Nov 20, 2022 12:10 PM EST
Stafford (concussion) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in New Orleans, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Analysis: Stafford returns after missing a game, but his offensive line is still banged up and now he won't have star wide receiver Cooper Kupp (IR - ankle). The New Orleans defense isn't in much better shape with four starters ruled out on the final injury report, including top cornerback Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) and DEs Cameron Jordan (eye) and Marcus Davenport (calf).
Nov 18, 2022 1:13 PM EST
Coach Sean McVay said Friday he expects Stafford (concussion) to play Sunday in New Orleans, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official website reports.
Analysis: Stafford was a full practice participant Wednesday and Thursday and apparently is on track to clear concussion protocol before Sunday. If so, he'll have a tough task ahead of him, playing behind an injury-riddled, struggling offensive line, with star receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) out for at least four games and possibly the rest of the season. New Orleans also has been hit hard by injuries this year, including four defensive starters missing practice both Wednesday and Thursday.
Nov 18, 2022 11:29 AM EST
Stafford (concussion) was a full practice participant Thursday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Analysis: Stafford now has strung together back-to-back uncapped sessions, but there's been no word yet that he's cleared the five phases of the concussion protocol, which is where he's resided since last Tuesday, Nov. 8 and sidelined him this past Sunday against the Cardinals. Meanwhile, the Rams' No. 2 quarterback John Wolford was limited Thursday after sitting out Wednesday due to a stiff neck. Coach Sean McVay expects Stafford to play Sunday at New Orleans, but he likely still has to complete the last phase of the aforementioned protocol in order to do so.
Nov 17, 2022 4:42 PM EST
Stafford (concussion) was a full practice participant Wednesday and is expected to gain clearance for Sunday's game at New Orleans, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Stafford likely will make it back after one missed game, but he'll be rejoining an offense that won't have Cooper Kupp (ankle) for at least a month and potentially the rest of the season. That leaves Stafford with Allen Robinson, Van Jefferson and Ben Skowronek as his most experienced options at wide receiver, while Tyler Higbee and Brycen Hopkins are the tight ends.
Nov 16, 2022 2:41 PM EST
Rams head coach Sean McVay said Tuesday that Stafford remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, Eric Williams of FoxSports.com reports.
Analysis: McVay wouldn't confirm that Stafford has been diagnosed with a concussion in the aftermath of the Rams' Week 9 loss to the Buccaneers, but the fact that the quarterback has now been stuck in the protocol for seven days suggests he's dealing with a head injury. The coach indicated that the Rams should have a better idea regarding Stafford's potential availability for Sunday's game in New Orleans later Tuesday or Wednesday, but John Wolford -- who started in place of Stafford in the Week 10 loss to the Cardinals -- may continue to see first-team reps at quarterback to begin prep for the Week 11 matchup. Even if Stafford clears the protocol in advance of the game against the Saints, he'll be working behind a depleted offensive line and won't have top target Cooper Kupp (ankle) available, after McVay said the standout receiver would require a "tightrope procedure" Wednesday that will keep him sidelined for at least the next four games.
Nov 15, 2022 9:36 AM EST
Stafford (concussion) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: After entering the concussion protocol Tuesday, Stafford was unable to mix into drills until Friday, when he was limited at practice. Despite entering the weekend as questionable, he seemed like a long shot to play Week 10 considering the quick turnaround following the diagnosis, and he indeed won't be available Sunday. In Stafford's place, John Wolford will make the sixth appearance and third start of his career. Stafford will look to clear the aforementioned protocol ahead of next Sunday's road matchup with the Saints.
Nov 13, 2022 11:59 AM EST
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