The Los Angeles Rams entered training camp with Super Bowl aspirations, but those championship dreams now hinge on the health of their veteran quarterback. Matthew Stafford’s back injury has kept him sidelined from practice, raising questions about whether the team’s franchise player will be ready when it matters most.
What started as a precautionary rest has become a more serious concern that could reshape the Rams’ entire season.
What Exactly Is Wrong With Matthew Stafford’s Back?
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport revealed that Stafford is suffering from an aggravated disc. While “aggravated disc” isn’t a standard medical term, it typically refers to a variation of a slipped or herniated disc that has become inflamed or worsened.
Sources: #Rams QB Matthew Stafford is dealing with an aggravated disc and has received an epidural to help him deal with it.
Los Angeles has called him week-to-week, being cautious, but with plans for him to be ready for Week 1. pic.twitter.com/wpj0Uqghax
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 6, 2025
Disc injuries typically cause lower back pain accompanied by numbness and tingling that can radiate to the shoulders, arms, hands, legs, or feet. These injuries can also create motor function issues, particularly affecting arm mobility — a concerning development for any quarterback.
Stafford dealt with back soreness at multiple points during the 2024-25 season and was officially listed on the injury report during Week 5’s loss to the Green Bay Packers. This latest setback adds to Stafford’s extensive injury history in his core region, including previous problems with his hips, back, and spine.
The most serious injury occurred in 2019, when he was the Detroit Lions’ starting quarterback and missed most of the season due to fractured bones in his back. Medical evaluations later revealed that the injury actually happened during the 2018 season, but Stafford played through the pain to finish that campaign and start 2019 before the fractures forced him to the sideline.
To manage the current disc issue, Rapoport reported that Stafford received an epidural injection. This treatment provides anesthesia for back and spine problems, helping reduce pain levels, though it doesn’t accelerate the actual healing process.
How Soon Can the Rams Expect Stafford Back on the Field?
Despite the concerning nature of disc injuries, the Los Angeles Rams and head coach Sean McVay remain optimistic about their quarterback’s recovery timeline. The organization has classified this as a week-to-week injury, maintaining confidence that Stafford will be ready for the regular season opener against the Houston Texans on September 7.
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While Stafford works through his recovery, Jimmy Garoppolo has stepped into the starting role during training camp, taking first-team reps with the offense. Should Stafford’s back problems persist beyond the season opener, Garoppolo would likely assume starting duties for the Rams.
The team’s quarterback depth chart also includes college football champion Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn. However, both would be considered longer-term options rather than immediate solutions if Stafford’s injury becomes more problematic than currently expected.
