Rams' Matthew Stafford: Four-touchdown performance Thursday
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Stafford completed 25 of 34 passes for 279 yards with four touchdowns and one interception in the Rams' 30-20 win over the Vikings on Thursday night. He also rushed three times for minus-4 yards.
Stafford had a banner night across the board, clearly benefitting from the return of both Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) to the field. The duo predicably served as Stafford's top targets, accounting for 12 of the quarterback's completions, 157 of his yards and one of his touchdown passes (Kupp). Stafford also hit Demarcus Robinson for scoring tosses of 25 and 10 yards in the second half, and his first end-zone strike of the night went to Kyren Williams from five yards out. Stafford's passing yardage was his second highest of the campaign and game also marked his first multi-touchdown tally of the season, affording the veteran signal-caller plenty of momentum heading into a Week 9 road showdown against the division-rival Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 3.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Week 8 Waiver Priority List
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Stafford has yet to score more than 16.9 Fantasy points in any game this season, but help is on the way. Cooper Kupp (ankle) is back in Week 8 against Minnesota, and hopefully Puka Nacua (knee) will return soon as well. With a healthy receiving corps, Stafford could emerge as a weekly starter in all leagues. He's worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Struggles despite earning team win
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Stafford (back) completed 14 of 23 pass attempts for 154 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in Sunday's 20-15 win over the Raiders.
Stafford entered this contest dealing with a sore back, but he had the bye week to rest and did not appear limited Sunday. The veteran quarterback simply cruised in the back seat while the running game (both touchdowns) and defense (four takeaways) drove Los Angeles to its second victory of the year. Stafford's low-use game marked the first time this season that he has failed to reach 200 passing yards. With just three touchdowns to six turnovers through six weeks, Stafford makes for a middling fantasy option in a tough matchup against Minnesota on Thursday Night Football in Week 8.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Week 7 Waiver Priority List
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I'm hopeful that Stafford gets Cooper Kupp (ankle) back in Week 7 against the Raiders, and then we can trust Stafford as a low-end starter in all leagues. Even without Kupp, you might consider using Stafford against Las Vegas at home since the Raiders have allowed three of the past four quarterbacks (Andy Dalton in Week 3, Bo Nix in Week 5 and Justin Fields in Week 6) to score at least 23.7 Fantasy points. Only Deshaun Watson failed to take advantage of this matchup, so Stafford is worth using as a sleeper, especially if Kupp is back. Stafford should be added for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Back no longer bothersome
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Coach Sean McVay said Monday that Stafford (back) is "doing great, and he's not going to miss any time," Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Stafford was dealing with back soreness after the 24-19 Week 5 loss to the Packers, but a well-timed Week 6 bye provided ample time for the veteran quarterback to recover. While Stafford will be available for Sunday's game against the Raiders, the Rams are expected to remain without wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee), while the status of wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) still is up in the air.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Sore back after Week 5 action
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Coach Sean McVay noted Monday that Stafford is dealing with some back soreness following Sunday's 24-19 loss to the Packers, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register and Greg Beacham of the Associated Press report.
That said, McVay indicated that Stafford's back issue shouldn't impact the QB's availability for the Rams' Oct. 20 game against the Raiders. In any case, added context regarding Stafford's status should surface once the team resumes practice following a Week 6 bye.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Pads stats late
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Stafford completed 29 of 45 passes for 260 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 24-19 loss to the Packers.
The contest got off to a strange start for Stafford, as the Rams' offense struggled to get going through the air. That was clear during the team's lone touchdown drive in the first two quarters, as he attempted only three passes that went for just 12 yards. However, things opened up in the second half with the Packers jumping out to a multi-score lead, and Stafford responded with five completions for double-digit gains. While he's making the most of his situation as the team plays without several offensive linemen as well as Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle), Stafford has yet to throw for multiple touchdowns in a game this season.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: So-so numbers in Week 4 defeat
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Stafford completed 20 of 29 passes for 224 yards with no touchdowns and one interception while netting minus-1 yard on his only rush attempt. He also lost a fumble.
Stafford once again was playing with a makeshift receiving corps in the absence of Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (IR, knee), which makes his final numbers more than serviceable. However, the veteran signal-caller simply couldn't generate enough scoring drives, and he also fumbled at his own 13-yard line midway through the second quarter to set up a short Bears touchdown drive. Stafford showed plenty of chemistry with Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington in particular (a combined 10-144-0 line on 14 targets).
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Spurs compact victory
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Stafford completed 16 of 25 pass attempts for 221 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-24 win over the Rams.
Stafford struggled at times against the 49ers' loaded defense, but the veteran persevered to lead his offense into field-goal range in the closing moments of Sunday's victory. The 36-year-old has provided mixed results from the pocket after losing his top two receiving options in consecutive weeks to begin the season. Stafford's lack of production as a rusher (zero attempts through three weeks) makes him a middling fantasy option heading into a matchup against Chicago on Sunday.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: QBs to Sit
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You're sitting Stafford in one-quarterback leagues, but you might have to bench him in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues as well. Without Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) behind a banged-up offensive line, it could be ugly for Stafford against San Francisco. Through two games, Stafford is averaging just 11.7 Fantasy points, and he has six touchdowns and seven interceptions in his past five meetings with the 49ers, while averaging 245.8 passing yards per game over that span.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Sleeper QBs
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Stafford only scored 16.7 Fantasy points in Week 1 at Detroit, but he passed for 317 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He did that with his offensive line falling apart, and Puka Nacua (knee) left the game as well. Nacua is out for Week 2, and the offensive line is still an issue, but Stafford is still worth using as a low-end No. 1 quarterback in all leagues. This is a great matchup against the Cardinals, who allowed Josh Allen to pass for 232 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1 (he also added 39 rushing yards and two touchdowns). And last year at Arizona in Week 12, Stafford passed for 229 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception for 31.4 Fantasy points.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Returns to team drills
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Stafford (hamstring) is participating in team drills at the start of Tuesday's practice, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Stafford was limited to individual work in his return to practice Monday, but he's now resumed handling normal reps. That's enough to alleviate any concerns about the 36-year-old signal-caller's health, though the plan for Los Angeles all along has been for Stetson Bennett to start Saturday's preseason finale against the Texans. The Rams also expect second-year wideout Puka Nacua (hamstring) to be available Week 1 versus the Lions, so with Cooper Kupp also entering the 2024 season healthy, Stafford will have both his top wideouts available to kick off the season.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Limited to individual work
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Stafford (hamstring) participated in stretching and individual work at Monday's practice but was held out of team drills, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.
Stafford returned to practice on an individual basis Monday, a positive step in the right direction after he departed the field last Wednesday as a result of hamstring tightness. Coach Sean McVay said Stafford's limitations are precautionary, and he simply "wanted to be smart with him," noting that "he was obviously very upset at me that he wasn't practicing today." Even if he was fully healthy, Stafford wouldn't be in contention to start Los Angeles' preseason finale against the Texans on Saturday, but it sounds like the veteran signal-caller is on track to play Week 1 against the Lions on Sunday, Sept. 8.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: May not practice Monday
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Rams coach Sean McVay said Sunday that he's unsure if Stafford (hamstring) will practice Monday, Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports.
Stafford has been sidelined since leaving Wednesday's practice early with what was described as hamstring tightness. McVay stated Thursday that he expected the starting quarterback to return to practice this week, but it appears the team may take a more cautious route and evaluate his status Monday morning. The Rams' coach downplayed the severity of the issue Sunday, stating that he's "not concerned" and that the 36-year-old will be ready for the season opener at Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 8, per Jackson. In the meantime, backup Stetson Bennett should continue to serve as the Rams' primary quarterback for the preseason finale versus Houston on Saturday.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: In line to practice next week
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Coach Sean McVay said Thursday that he expects Stafford (hamstring) to return to practice next week, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Stafford left practice early Wednesday and isn't present for Thursday's walkthrough, but the Rams have described his absence due to hamstring tightness as precautionary. That the veteran signal-caller is expected to resume practicing next week confirms his injury isn't severe. In any case, neither of Stafford or backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo have been considered candidates to play during Saturday's preseason game against the Chargers, so Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn will again lead Los Angeles' offense in the exhibition contest.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Absent from walkthrough
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Stafford (hamstring) is not present for Thursday's walkthrough practice, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
A Rams spokesperson reiterated that Stafford was removed from practice Wednesday at roughly the halfway point for 'precautionary' reasons due to hamstring tightness. Neither Stafford nor backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo are expected to play in any of Los Angeles' preseason games, so Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn figure to dominate reps during Saturday's exhibition matchup against the Chargers. It seems the Rams are simply playing it safe with Stafford's health, but given his injury history, it will be a relief to fantasy managers if the 36-year-old signal-caller is able to retake the field without missing much more time.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Injures hamstring Wednesday
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Stafford exited early in Wednesday's joint practice with the Cowboys due to a tight hamstring, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Stafford was active in the first half of Wednesday's session that included a handful of 11-on-11 series, but he then left the field as a precautionary measure due to the aforementioned injury. He isn't expected to play in any of the Rams' preseason games, and the same can be said for backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. With that in mind, second-year pro Stetson Bennett should continue to handle the bulk of the in-game reps under center prior to Week 1.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Not in line to play in preseason
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Stafford is not slated to see any preseason action, Cameron DaSilvaof USA Today and Gary Klein of the L.A. Times report.
Given Stafford's injury history, it's no surprise that the Rams plan to play it safe with their veteran starter. While it's unclear if fellow QB Jimmy Garoppolo will see exhibition snaps, look for Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn to get their share of work during the the team's looming three-game preseason slate.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: At camp after contract adjustment
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Coach Sean McVay said Tuesday that Stafford is present at training camp and that the Rams have agreed to adjust his contract, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
Stafford has two years remaining on his contract with Los Angeles and has expressed a desire for more guaranteed money. Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports that an adjustment to Stafford's deal is more likely than an extension, but whatever the case, both sides are now on the same page as the veteran quarterback enters his age-36 season. McVay confirmed that Stafford will be ready to practice Wednesday, per Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Seeking contract update
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Stafford has been in attendance for the Rams' voluntary workouts all offseason, but the quarterback remains hopeful to have more guaranteed money added to the final two years of his contract ahead of the 2024 season, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
The 36-year-old has three years remaining on his contract but no guarantees beyond 2024. He's been involved with the Rams throughout the offseason, leading an offense that will return all but one starter (center Coleman Shelton) from 2023. Guard Jonah Jackson and tight end Colby Parkinson were the big offseason additions, with the former allowing Steve Avila to slide over to center and the latter likely replacing Tyler Higbee (knee) as a starter early in the season. Stafford apparently intends to play at least a few more years and will have wideouts Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp as his primary targets for the foreseeable future.
