Things went from bad to worse for the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday afternoon. The Rams suffered their worst defeat of the 2023 season as the Dallas Cowboys humbled Sean McVay and company with a 43-20 beatdown. But the loss on the scoreboard wasn’t the most devastating part of the afternoon.
QB Matthew Stafford injured the thumb on his throwing hand before halftime. The Rams’ veteran signal-caller played in the second half, but L.A.’s coaching staff and team captain eventually pulled the plug on the afternoon, and he departed from the game.
Stafford wasn’t playing his best before the injury, completing 13 of 22 for 162 yards with a TD pass and an interception. Football fans and analysts have been awaiting the Rams’ explosive offense to take off with a healthy Cooper Kupp back from his stint on injured reserve. The offense hasn’t materialized yet, and with Stafford now injured, the question lingers.
Will Matthew Stafford Miss Any Time?
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the X-ray on Stafford’s thumb was negative, meaning there is no break, but the rest remains a mystery at the moment.
“My understanding is X-rays are negative, so unless the CT scan or MRI shows something different, no fracture, but they are looking at a variety of options here for Matthew Stafford,” Rapoport said.
“No firm decision, but it does seem like missing next week’s game and going forward is something that’s in the realm of possibility for the Rams. It is something they’re discussing. They’re trying to get a plan going forward.”
From all indications, the Rams will put the franchise signal-caller through several more tests to determine the extent of the injury and how long Stafford must miss.
The timing of the QB injury may play a factor in how the Rams’ coaching and medical staff treat the injury. Los Angeles faces the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, and Lambeau’s colder weather can impact a quarterback grip when healthy, let alone when battling a thumb injury.
MORE: When Will Daniel Jones Make His Return From Injury?
The Rams’ bye week is looming in Week 10, so they could, in theory, sit Stafford for one game and give him two complete weeks to heal before trotting him back out there against their NFC West divisional rival, the Seattle Seahawks in Week 11.
Rams QB Depth Chart
Brett Rypien entered the game on Sunday and would be the presumed starter this week if Stafford misses the game. The Rams have only been carrying Stafford and Rypien as active quarterbacks, with fourth-round rookie QB Stetson Bennett on the reserve/NFL list.
There has been little reporting around the Bennett situation, leading one to believe we won’t see the former national champion QB for a while. When asked about the Stafford injury, Rams head coach Sean McVay said he “doesn’t want to speculate until he has further information.”
McVay did say that Stafford injured his thumb on the two-point conversion play that the Rams called a “Philly Special” resemblance where Stafford was a pass catcher. If so, what a bizarre play call for a QB with an ailing thumb.