Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford 'Progressing Well'; Play vs. Green Bay Packers?
The Los Angeles Rams have officially labeled starting quarterback Matthew Stafford as questionable for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers.
Stafford, who suffered a sprained MCL in last week's 43-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, did not practice this week - but Rams coach Sean McVay knew that was a possibility and may not ultimately decide Stafford's final status until inactives are due an hour and a half before the 10 a.m. PST kickoff.
“We kind of knew that he was not going to participate all week and we'll take it all the way up until game time,” McVay said.
As for Stafford's physical state, McVay twice said he's making good progress gripping the ball and offered an overall positive assessment of how the veteran signal caller is trending.
“I think he's progressing well," McVay said. "I think he's doing good.”
The 35-year-old Stafford missed eight games a season ago and spent the final seven weeks on injured reserve after battling a spinal cord contusion.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) attempts to sack Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Stafford has completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 2,070 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. He's going to travel with the Rams to Green Bay and will go through a pre-game workout to test the health of his thumb.
That said, McVay didn't rule out the chance Los Angeles has a strong feeling Saturday night how things will play out.
“Could we have an idea on Saturday night that it's more likely than not that he's not going to go? Yeah, I'm not going to sit here and say that that couldn't be a possibility," McVay said.
The Rams will see pre-game if Stafford can grip the football with no restraints and throw it around the field per usual before deciding. For McVay, getting this final evaluation and letting Stafford have a say is an important part of the process.
“If he's able to do that 90 minutes before kickoff, I think it'd be silly to not leave that open," McVay said. "I think it'd also be silly for us not to prepare for the scenario if he doesn't go.”
If Stafford doesn't play, Los Angeles will turn to backup Brett Rypien, who McVay noted has had a strong week of practice. The Rams are confident in Rypien and won't put Stafford on the field if he'd be more susceptible to further injury.
But ultimately, the final determination likely won't be in until Sunday morning - and McVay already has a clear picture of what he needs to see.
“There certainly would need to be a demonstration of utilizing the skills and the tools that we would expect of him playing the quarterback position,” McVay said.
The Rams (3-5) and Packers (2-5) will take the field at 10 a.m. PST inside Lambeau Field.
