Matthew Stafford injury update: Stafford practices in first padded practice despite not being “100 percent”

Arth Chandra
|PublishedAug 04, 2021

Matthew Stafford injury update: Stafford practices in first padded practice despite not being "100 percent"

The Los Angeles Rams have a lot pinned on QB Matthew Stafford for the 2021 season. But those expectations might have to be put on hold after he suffered a thumb injury in training camp.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford suffered an injury to his surgically-repaired throwing hand during a training camp practice on Monday evening. According to Kevin Modesti of the Los Angeles Daily News, Stafford left the field with his thumb wrapped but was later seen holding his helmet with his right hand – which is at least a somewhat good sign.

Matthew Stafford’s trade to LA was probably the biggest one this offseason. And rightfully so. The Rams got a big upgrade on QB and Matthew Stafford will finally be able to lead a team that has genuine Super Bowl hopes. So one can understand why Stafford’s injury is a big deal for the LA Rams.

Rams trade Jared Goff + future draft picks to Lions for Matthew Stafford

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 18, 2021

Matthew Stafford says he wasn’t going to miss the first padded practice no matter what.

One day after banging his hand against a helmet, Stafford fully participated in practice. He was determined not to miss it.

“It’s our first day in pads and I want to be out there,” Stafford told reporters after practice. “I want to be out there with these guys, every opportunity I get, whether I’m 100 percent or not. Every opportunity that I get to call, play and run against our defense and with our guys is an opportunity I need to get and I don’t want to waste them. If it was good enough to go, then I’m going to be out there to go.”

“Nothing [is] broken or fractured or torn,” he said. “Just kind of worked on it through the night to try and get it ready to practice today and it felt good enough, so we came out and practiced. . . . [It’s] never fun to have something as vital as the throwing thumb not feel 100 percent, but at the same time I’m sure happy that it wasn’t anything bad.”

Matthew Stafford is in practice gear and was playing catch with John Wolford before the Rams’ first fully padded workout, throwing footballs about 25 yards with what looks like a small bandage on his right thumb.

— Kevin Modesti (@KevinModesti) August 3, 2021

HC Sean McVay said that the team initially planned to give Stafford the day off, but that Stafford didn’t want to hear it.

“Earlier today we were planning on him not practicing,” McVay said, “and then he came out and he said, ‘No I’m practicing.’ And I said, ‘Okay, if you want to practice, let’s go.’ So that was kind of how it unfolded.”

It’s no surprise why the Rams have high expectations with Stafford centre. McVay has led the Rams to the Playoffs in 3 of the 4 seasons he has been a HC. But the team was often held behind by the play of former QB Jared Goff. But Stafford will be a supreme upgrade over Goff. Stafford is one of only 8 players to throw over 5,000 yards in a season. And had another impressive season in 2020 after throwing 26 touchdowns to only 10 interceptions.

So McVay and the Rams will hope that Stafford’s injury is nothing serious.

Also Read: Matthew Stafford injury update: Sean McVay provides update on Rams Quarterback injury after hitting his surgically-repaired thumb on a helmet

About the author