Rams' Sean McVay Non-Committal on Matthew Stafford's Week 1 Status amid Back Injury

Matthew Stafford's back injury has been the biggest story of training camp for the Los Angeles Rams, and head coach Sean McVay didn't provide any official word regarding availability for the Sept. 7 opener against the Houston Texans even after the quarterback returned to practice Monday.

"I think that would be putting the cart way before the horse," McVay told reporters. "I thought he did a good job today."

McVay also said the Rams are taking the entire situation day-by-day and praised Stafford's Monday effort:

As ESPN's Sarah Barshop noted, Monday was Stafford's first practice of training camp as he deals with an aggravated disk in his back.

That he was available and practiced was a welcome development for the Rams, especially since it came after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday's First Take that there is concern about whether he will be ready for the Texans.

"The regular-season opener is getting closer and closer. And while the doctors may not be concerned today about Matthew Stafford's availability for Week 1, I can tell you that the concern level within the Rams organization is rising a little bit with each day that passes that Matthew Stafford isn't back out there. Back pain doesn't go away, back pain stays. And Matthew Stafford is one of the toughest players that's out there. They can do things that mask that pain on game day. I'm sure he will, but the fact of the matter is this is a lingering issue that he likely is going to have to play with and through for the remainder of the 2025 season."

Reporting around Stafford has certainly changed since Schefter reported earlier this month the quarterback sitting out was "a total maintenance issue" that was causing "zero panic" within the team.

Los Angeles is a realistic contender in the NFC if Stafford is healthy. It has missed the playoffs just once in his four seasons with the club, and that came when injuries limited him to nine games in 2022.

The two-time Pro Bowler was still effective in his age-36 season last year when he completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions while leading the Rams to the NFC West crown.

Expectations are high once again with the receiving duo of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, as well as a running game with Kyren Williams. But it all starts with Stafford being under center, which makes his lingering back issues a concern.

Monday was a step in the right direction, but McVay isn't ready to say he will absolutely be available in Week 1.