Matthew Stafford’s hamstring tightness raises concerns
At any point during training camp in which it has been mentioned that Stetson Bennett is a worrisome option for the L.A. Rams to consider as a backup quarterback, it seems as though a lot of the reaction is centered around “Who cares about QB3?”. Well, you’ll probably care if the Rams need to name Bennett the QB1 in either of the first two weeks of the season or thereafter.
On Wednesday, Matthew Stafford was unable to finish a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys because of hamstring tightness, according to the team. Stafford is 36 years of age.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford did not finish today’s joint workout with the Cowboys due to hamstring tightness, per a Rams official.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) August 14, 2024
Stafford, who was as tough and durable as quarterbacks can be while missing zero games in between 2011 and 2018, is still tough, but maybe not as durable. The 36-year-old quarterback missed half of 2019 with a back injury and another eight games in 2022. He also missed one game in 2023, a loss to the Packers the truly emphasized just how bad the Rams are when they have to play someone like Brett Rypien in place of Stafford.
Rypien is better than Stetson Bennett.
With Jimmy Garoppolo suspended for the first two games (the 32-year-old has also missed significant time in four of the last six years), Bennett is for all intents and purposes the backup quarterback in Weeks 1 and 2 unless L.A. chooses Dresser Winn or makes an acquisition.
Stafford, who was born in the year 1988, could be at practice on Thursday and never miss another second of football for the rest of the season. The 36-year-old might not have anything to worry about. But it is moments like Wednesday’s that should remind Sean McVay of John Wolford. It should remind him of Bryce Perkins, Baker Mayfield, and Rypien. Of all the backup quarterbacks who the team turned to out of desperation at one time or another, usually with dire consequences for the offense.
That’s not to say that ANY quarterback is going to be a good answer if Stafford is injured. It’s too late to find a backup better than Garoppolo, when he’s available. But being that he is unavailable for the first two weeks, this “tightness” should not make McVay feel very loose.
