Matthew Stafford gives injury scare as NFL veteran star quarterback heads to Los Angeles Rams training camp

MATTHEW Stafford has given the Los Angeles Rams an injury scare early in training camp.

Stafford in only expected to miss a few practices after a back issue started to bother him.

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Matt Stafford is dealing with a minor injury at training camp[/caption]

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Stafford will miss a few practice sessions before returning to work[/caption]

“He had a little bit of soreness in his back that kind of crept up,” head coach Sean McVay said.

“He´s been throwing, feeling good. It’s not anything that’s necessarily new.

“It´s something that he’s dealt with before.”

Stafford’s workload was already going to be managed in training camp, but his back injury will put a delay on that plan.

The quarterback is 37 years old, so his body will need some extra care in what will be his 17th NFL season.

Stafford is entering his fifth season with the Rams after being traded from the Detroit Lions in 2021.

He will return to the field after a five-day “acclimation period,” according to McVay.

For now, backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo will run the Rams’ offense with the starters.

“Ultimately, it’s about having him feel as good as possible going into Year 17,” McVay said.

“And that’s where you do feel good about having a guy like Jimmy to step in and do a great job for the first few practices, and then Matthew will be ready to roll.”

Stafford got a big raise this offseason after a contract dispute.

That was quickly resolved and he was given a raise before participating in offseason programs.

“If he was a first-year player, I think you’d say, ‘Man, every rep really matters,’” McVay said.

“I think the important thing is having a big-picture perspective with a guy going into Year 17, based on this being something that he’s had before and dealt with through different parts of his career.

“He’s so in tune with his body, and talking with him, I feel really good.”

Stafford led the Rams to the playoffs last year after a great season under center.

He passed for 3,762 yards with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Stafford finished the season with a 10-6 record.