Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford returned to his teammates in full practice this week. This milestone is an exciting step towards his ongoing recovery from a traumatic back injury. Stafford incurred a disk in his back aggravated during the offseason. He took his triumphant return to the field for the first time in 834 days during joint practices with the Chargers on Monday, August 21, 2025. His health is critical for the Rams’ success this season, and head coach Sean McVay expressed optimism regarding Stafford’s recovery.
Stafford’s return to practice was something his teammates and coaching staff were looking forward to. On his first practice back, he just wanted to get comfortable—all the days on, all the days off, working your way back into training shape. Stafford noted that he “definitely felt a whole lot more like myself out there today” compared to his initial day back. This continuing progress should only set the Rams up nicely as they head into next season.
In those recent practices, Stafford really did open up all quadrants of the field, showcasing a new level of mobility, because—well, speed. He played with tremendous fury, demonstrating his desire to get back to being one of the best in the game today. This will be 17th hence in the NFL profession. There’s pain everywhere each morning when I get up. No problem – I’ll take care of this the same way I take care of a million other things every single year, as Stafford put it. He was honest about the challenges that accompany a long career.
Ryan Clark, an analyst who focuses heavily on the Rams, said Stafford staying healthy is crucial to the Rams’ Super Bowl hopes this year. “Just want to continue to do everything I possibly can to be ready for the guys in the locker room every single day that we have an opportunity to go out there and get better,” Stafford stated, reflecting his dedication to his teammates and the organization.
As he continues through his recovery, Stafford is more committed than ever to being healthy while leading and serving his city. “I’m going to do everything I can to be out there while still being smart and knowing, hey, we got something that deserves a little attention,” he said.
Sarah Barshop is the ESPN NFL Nation reporter covering Stafford and the Rams. She noted that his ability to fully practice is an encouraging sign of Stafford’s course and the team’s future direction. With training camp underway and the season approaching, Stafford’s performance will be crucial as the Rams aim for success in the competitive landscape of the NFL.
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