Matthew Stafford hasn't played a preseason game since joining the Rams in 2021, and that is likely to be the case once again in 2024.
The veteran Los Angeles quarterback sat out the first two contests this year and will likely be sidelined for a third straight game Saturday as he prepares for the regular season. The Rams visit the Lions in Week 1 on Sunday, Sept. 8.
While it's common practice for starting quarterbacks to see limited snaps in preseason, Stafford isn't just resting as precaution. He's nursing hamstring tightness ahead of his 16th NFL season.
Here's the latest on Stafford's whereabouts in preseason and whether he'll be ready for Week 1 against his former team.
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Will Matthew Stafford be ready for Week 1?
Stafford is expected to be healthy for the start of the regular season, with the Rams set to face off against his former team, the Lions, in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 8.
The 36-year-old is dealing with hamstring tightness that kept him out of practice last week. He was initially supposed to return to practice this week, but head coach Sean McVay was less confident after talking to the media Sunday.
McVay did, however, say Stafford will be available for Week 1 against the Lions.
"He's going to be ready to go and to prepare against Detroit," McVay said. "And if we miss a couple days this week, if that's the approach we take on the safer side, he'll still have two and a half weeks of preparation for Detroit."
There doesn't seem to be much concern over Stafford's injury, which is promising for his team's chances in 2024.
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Is Matthew Stafford injured?
Stafford is dealing with hamstring tightness, but it's not expected to hamper him much in the regular season.
The veteran quarterback hasn't played in the first two preseason games and is likely going to sit out the third and final match. That said, Stafford hasn't seen any preseason action since joining the Rams, so this isn't totally abnormal.
McVay told reporters that Stafford would be ready for Week 1 against Detroit, even though the quarterback is taking slightly longer to recover than expected.