Yes, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was present at practice on Monday, despite a hamstring injury. However, he only participated in individual drills.
Careful Steps
“My biggest thing was we wanted to be smart with him,” coach Sean McVay explained to reporters. “If there was any sudden movement that set him back, I just didn’t think it would be worth it. He’s feeling great. He was obviously very upset at me that he wasn’t practicing today, which is a good thing. That’s what makes him a great competitor. It’s also our job to make sure, looking at the timetable we have… if there was any sort of sudden movement where there was a setback, that wouldn’t be worth it. That’s why we held him.”
Hamstring injuries can be like that stubborn cancha (Peruvian corn) that pops back into your eye the moment you turn away—they easily can be aggravated, putting the player back to square one and causing him to miss far more time.
Details Galore
Stafford also had a glove on his left hand because, according to McVay, he cut his thumb. It was almost like a slapstick comedy moment but far more intense, given the stakes.
McVay wasn’t sure whether the seasoned QB would participate in team drills on Tuesday.
Strategizing for the Future
“The goal in mind is making sure that we get a good couple of weeks of preparation for the Detroit game,” McVay said with a confident smile. You could almost see the gears turning in his football brain, each click reverberating like the drums in a parade.
Keeping Cards Close to the Vest
With no injury reports due until the days leading up to the first regular-season game, and no obligation whatsoever to provide injury information now, the Rams have every reason to keep their cards close to the vest. Especially if:
- They’re concerned about Stafford’s availability for Week 1
- They’re not sufficiently confident in Stetson Bennett, their best option in-house for the first two weeks of the regular season
- They hope to add another quarterback without his current team thinking it can squeeze the Rams for a late-round pick
In Los Angeles, the thrilling storylines unfolding are more electrifying than a last-second Hail Mary in the Super Bowl. While the Rams navigate these murky waters, one thing’s for sure: we’re all strapped in for one heck of a ride.
