Rams’ Matthew Stafford Placed on Injured Reserve

Matthew Stafford with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021
Matthew Stafford with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/Shutterstock (12475570g)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been placed on injured reserve after spending a period in concussion protocol. This decision means that Stafford will be unavailable to return to the field until Week 17.

Stafford injured his neck during the Rams’ Week 12 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He was forced to leave early in order to be evaluated for a concussion, with coach Sean McVay revealing that the player felt numbness in his left after taking the hit that led to his injury.

Two days after being cleared from concussion protocol, Stafford returned to action as he showed no signs of concussion symptoms. He entered concussion protocol on Tuesday, November 8, and was cleared that Friday.

Although initially cleared, the Rams’ medical team as well as McVay thought it would best for the player to go through a comprehensive recovery period so as not to aggravate any potential injuries.

“I know him. If there’s any inkling that he can play, this guy’s going to want to play,” McVay said of Stafford. “Now [there is a] possibility that we say, ‘Based on what we’re gathering, the doctors, those types of things, the smart thing is to not play you.’ And he could be upset with me, but I think he knows that I have his best interest and we have his best interest.”