It was reported earlier this week that star quarterback Matthew Stafford would be going on the injured reserve list for the Los Angeles Rams. We now have an unfortunate update on the severity of Stafford’s injury.
According to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic, Rams head coach Sean McVay revealed Sunday that Stafford is dealing with a spinal cord contusion. The indication is that this injury is expected to end his season in Los Angeles.
Matthew Stafford has a spinal cord contusion, says Sean McVay. Went on IR this week, indication is season-ending.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) December 5, 2022
It is obviously not the update that many Rams fans were hoping for, and only adds to the disastrous year that the organization has had this season.
Los Angeles lost yet again on Sunday to the Seattle Seahawks in Stafford’s absence, falling to 3-9 overall on the year.
This comes just one season after a Super Bowl championship over the Cincinnati Bengals. With Stafford’s injury expected to end his season, it certainly seems very clear that the Rams will be missing out on a potential playoff birth this year.
Considering the severity of the injury at 34 years old for Stafford (seen above Sunday ahead of that game), some around the NFL are suggesting that this could impact the rest of his career.
Rams may have to start exploring their post Stafford plan a few years earlier than they thought https://t.co/rRfNxLJy3R
— Ry (@JustRyCole) December 5, 2022
might be the end of the road for stafford. what a career 🫡. https://t.co/s6P1VbfOea
— mansur🕊️ (@mansurshaheen) December 5, 2022
Man, feels like the beginning of the end… https://t.co/pCnaYcYucA
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) December 5, 2022
Um ouch https://t.co/qti3ElH6QP
— Graham Tiedtke (@GrahamTiedtke) December 5, 2022
We finally get a little clarity on Matt Stafford’s neck injury. And no, this isn’t a stinger. It’s not a major long-term concern, but it’s obviously not nothing. https://t.co/UIYjqOU6lx
— Inside Injuries (@InsideInjuries) December 5, 2022
A spinal cord injury is certainly nothing to mess with for Stafford. It could seemingly directly impact his life outside of football, should he happen to cause further harm by continuing to play.
This obviously adds to a number of question marks on an aging roster for the Los Angeles Rams. And they may need to start considering some other options at quarterback outside of Stafford moving forward.
[Jourdan Rodrigue on Twitter; photo from Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today Sports]
