Rams' Matthew Stafford Talks Back Injury, Says it 'Crept Up on Me a Little Bit'

With all eyes on Matthew Stafford's back during training camp for the Los Angeles Rams, the veteran quarterback opened up about his injury concerns Thursday.

"Just something that crept up on me a little bit," Stafford said when discussing the back injury that initially prevented him from practicing.

"The good thing is I feel pretty good the last couple days out there practicing," he told reporters. "I was able to do a little more than I thought I was going to be able to do the first day. I've just been trying to stack days."

To say updates on Stafford's back have been something of a roller coaster for the Rams would be an understatement.

Earlier this month, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported "my understanding is it's a total maintenance issue" that was causing "zero panic from the Rams."

However, Stafford didn't practice for multiple weeks after that update. It was fair to wonder when he would return at that point, especially since NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported he received an epidural to help with an aggravated disc.

That he was spending time in a healing chamber surely didn't put Rams fans' minds at ease:

Schefter then reported on Monday's First Take "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."

Fortunately for Los Angeles, Stafford returned to practice that same day.

His latest comments suggest he will be on the field for the Sept. 7 opener against the Houston Texans even if he didn't officially confirm as much. He is "stacking" practice days and clearly working toward making sure he is under center at the start of the new campaign.

Assuming he is, the Rams will be realistic contenders in the NFC with a one-two wide receiver punch of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams to go along with Kyren Williams in the backfield at running back.

But the team's ultimate potential depends on whether Stafford is on the field, which make his latest comments all the more notable.