McVay Says Matthew Stafford Expected to Start Week 1 Despite Back Issue

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said Monday that veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to start the team’s Week 1 home opener against the Houston Texans despite recent concerns over a back ailment.

Stafford, 37, missed all of training camp after aggravating a disc in his back and received an epidural injection to alleviate pain. He was not a full practice participant until Aug. 18, but McVay said the quarterback has returned to practice without setbacks and should be available Sunday. McVay also said left tackle Alaric Jackson is expected to be available for the game.

Questions about Stafford’s health had surfaced throughout the offseason after the back problem kept him from participating with teammates early in training camp. The Rams managed the veteran’s workload as he ramped back into team activities, and McVay said the coaching staff has seen no recurrence of the issue since Stafford returned to full practices in mid-August.

The expectation that Stafford will start comes as the Rams open the regular season at home against a Houston Texans team that McVay characterized as a tough opponent. The coach said he has been comfortable with Stafford’s progress and attributes the quarterback’s availability to careful medical treatment and monitoring.

Stafford’s absence from full practice earlier in the preseason prompted scrutiny from fans and media about whether he would be ready for the opener. McVay maintained a steady message throughout the recovery period, indicating that the team’s medical and training staff were guiding the process and that decisions would be made with Stafford’s long-term health and the team’s needs in mind.

The Rams will continue to monitor Stafford and Jackson through the week; final determinations on active rosters and game-day status typically are announced closer to kickoff. McVay reiterated confidence in both players’ readiness and said the team would proceed with preparations assuming their availability.

Stafford, who has been the Rams’ starting quarterback since being acquired in 2021, enters the season under increased attention given the club’s hopes to return to playoff contention. The team’s handling of his back ailment and the reported absence of setbacks will be watched closely by fans and analysts as the regular season begins.

McVay and the Rams coaching staff will provide further updates as the week progresses and final decisions on the Week 1 lineup are confirmed.