Matthew Stafford injured his right thumb in Week 8, immediately putting his status for this week’s game in question. Will Stafford be able to play when his Los Angeles Rams face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday? Here’s the latest on the Rams signal-caller.
Matthew Stafford Injury Update
Stafford initially injured his thumb after hitting it on Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith’s helmet on Sunday. He then aggravated the thumb issue after hauling in a pass for a two-point conversion on a trick play.
While Stafford didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday, the Rams are still listing him as questionable for Week 9. Los Angeles hasn’t yet released its Friday injury report, which will indicate whether Stafford was able to practice in any form today.
Head coach Sean McVay said the Rams are willing to “take it all the way up until game time” before deciding whether Stafford will suit up. Asked by The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue if Stafford can grip a football, McVay said the veteran QB is “making good progress” but didn’t divulge any other details.
If Stafford sits out of Week 9, Brett Rypien will work as LA’s starting quarterback. Rypien, a 2020 undrafted free agent, made three starts for the Denver Broncos from 2020-22.
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Rypien signed with the Rams in May. Los Angeles promoted Rypien from its practice squad in early September after fourth-round rookie Stetson Bennett — who was supposed to be Los Angeles’ QB2 this season — was sent to the reserve/non-football injury list.
Stafford completed 13 of 22 attempts for 162 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against the Cowboys before departing on Sunday. With the score already out of hand by the time he entered the game, Rypien went 5 of 10 for 42 yards.
“I know he’s one of the toughest guys I’ve ever met,” Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp said this week when asked if Stafford would play in Week 9. “And I know for a fact if there’s any chance he could be out there, he’s going to be out there.”
Meanwhile, the Packers are preparing as if they’ll face Stafford. But Green Bay expects a similar Los Angeles approach no matter who’s under center.
“We’re taking the approach that (Stafford) is going to play,” Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry said. “If he doesn’t, and we get (Rypien), I don’t think they’re going to change what they’re doing all of a sudden. They’re going to run their offense.”