Matthew Stafford Reportedly Expected to Play Week 1 by Rams Insiders Amid Back Injury

Though Matthew Stafford is still dealing with a back injury, the quarterback reportedly could still be on the field by Week 1.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Los Angeles Rams expect him to be available for Week 1 despite the lingering back issue.

Stafford has been dealing with the back injury for several weeks, but the Rams have remained steadfast in their belief that Stafford's injury isn't too serious, as ESPN's Adam Schefter reported last week that there was "zero panic" from the team.

"My understanding is it's a total maintenance issue," Schefter said. "... They don't want to put any wear and tear on his body. He knows how the game works, he knows how the offense functions, he knows how his teammates think and operate. So they are intentionally keeping him out in interest of maintenance, self-preservation and just wise caution."

Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday that Stafford and the team have not discussed surgery for the injury.

"There's been a lot of conversations about what's the best method of how we want to approach it," McVay said. "That hasn't been something that comes up."

McVay told reporters on Thursday that Stafford plans to work out on Saturday and added that the team plans to try "some different things."

"We're trying to get our hands around this as well, so I don't really have much more information other than think we're trying some different things that are hopefully going to be in alignment with getting him back out on the field," McVay said.

Stafford, 37, is coming off a decent season in which he threw for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

The Rams kick off the season against the Houston Texans on Sept. 7, where they'll hope to have Stafford healthy and under center.