Rams' Sean McVay 'Not Concerned' About Matthew Stafford Missing Time amid Injury

Though he's had to sit out of some team activities due to hamstring tightness over the past week, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is not worried about quarterback Matthew Stafford missing time.

He did say that Stafford will approach this week with caution.

"I'm not concerned," McVay said, per ESPN's Sarah Barshop. "I'm not. ... Do you want him to be able to get the work? Of course, but I'm not concerned based on what I understand the tightness is and erring on the safe side of caution for this week, if that's what we end up having to do."

Stafford exited the Rams' joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys last week and also did not participate in a jog through the following day. He did not play in Los Angeles' preseason games against the Cowboys or the Los Angeles Chargers.

McVay expressed optimism as it relates to Stafford being on the field in the Rams' first game of the season in September.

"He can throw and do some of those things, as far as just some of the movement, if he's feeling good ... So we haven't decided that yet," McVay said. "But the arrow is pointing up and he's feeling good as it relates to the hamstring tightness from last week."

Should he not be ready to go for Los Angeles' season opener against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 8, the Rams would likely have to turn to second-year quarterback Stetson Bennett. Jimmy Garoppolo, who the team signed over the offseason, is suspended the first two games of the year for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substances policy.

Bennett has had a shaky showing in preseason so far, throwing for 437 yards and two touchdowns along with five interceptions.

McVay's confidence seems to indicate that Stafford will be ready to go, though, so it seems unlikely the Rams would have to use Bennett.

In his 15th season last year, Stafford had 3,965 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, leading Los Angeles to the wild-card round where it fell short against the Lions.