Injuries in the NFL are inevitable. Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford knows it better than anyone. He missed weeks dealing with an aggravated disc in his back, leaving fans with only one question: could he suit up for the game? Ready to face the Eagles, the 2021 Super Bowl champion reflected on crucial players, offensive linemen Steve Avila and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, and defensive end Braden Fiske, who might not be able to join the squad in Week 3.

“Guys are out because it’s an injury that is frankly unlucky,” Stafford said during the press conference. “They can’t play with it. You know, there’s plenty of injuries out there that guys go down with an rolled ankle or they got this that or the other and they can continue to play through it. It sounds like I’m not talking about one specific person, but there’s plenty of guys out there that, you know, just are unable to play through it. And that’s part of it.”

Understanding the player’s emotions, he added, “It’s unfortunate. It’s not a fun part of the game. We spend so much time, I know those guys did, preparing their body and their minds to get ready to play a full NFL season and lead their teams. And when you’re not out there, it’s tough, and it’s disappointing, but I’m sure those guys will do everything they can to get back.”

And it is unfortunate. Some injuries happened during the game, some in practice. Witherspoon sustained a broken clavicle in Week 2. The injury is expected to sideline him for approximately 12 weeks, making him eligible to return around Week 14 or 15. Witherspoon must serve a minimum 4-week absence before becoming eligible for activation from IR. As per coach Sean McVay, both Avila and Fiske also missed the latest practice due to injuries. Avila is tending to an ankle sprain, while Fiske is dealing with an oblique injury after tweaking it in pregame practices. Both are unlikely to gear up for Week 3.

Now, Coach McVay assured that the team will monitor Fiske week-to-week to determine his availability. Moreover, Fiske also missed most of the Rams’ last meeting with Philadelphia after a knee injury. He is a key player on the defensive end, just as Avila is on the offensive side. Avila has been a reliable asset for the Rams. He played every snap at left guard during the 2023 season before McVay shifted him to center the following year as part of a new, upgraded offensive line.

When speaking of the guard’s availability, McVay repeated that the team would take it week-to-week, but he also spoke highly of Avila’s replacement for the game, Justin Dedich. “I know he was encouraged with how he felt afterwards and he’s making good progress today, but we’ll take that a day at a time. I thought in his absence, Justin Dedich stepped up and did a really nice job yesterday,” he shared.

As for the practice, both Tackle Rob Havenstein and Wide Receiver Davante Adams rested, while Tight End Colby Parkinson was limited in practice today due to a shoulder injury. The franchise was also advised by experts and analysts to monitor Stafford closely after his back injury. The concerns about his health and age were a major issue for the Rams throughout the preseason. Stafford’s new update on his back issues will bring relief to the Rams’ coach.

Matthew Stafford touched upon his back issues

After a lengthy recovery process, the QB returned to practice in August. While the return ended the chatter about his availability for Week 1, there were concerns about the player’s abilities. Will he be able to show the elite QB performance that saw the team win the Super Bowl in 2021?

He was limited for the first week during practice, with coach McVay hesitant about his timeline. But as he gradually stepped up to take more responsibility, the QB cleared every doubt about his performance. And his durability has already been put under scrutiny this season, as he’s taken nearly 12 hits and four sacks in just two games. What’s more important is how he is feeling after the games and long flights.

“My back feels good. Made it out of that one clean,” Stafford shared on SiriusXM’s “Let’s Go!” show. He added, “Sometimes the scariest part is flying to the East Coast and flying back. You know, you get on an airplane and get up and an old man and you feel a little different kind of way. But I feel great after two games, feeling really solid. Our guys up front are doing a hell of a job of keeping me clean.” Until now, Stafford has shown no signs of back trouble.

He will now face a cross-country flight before heading to face the Eagles’ formidable defense in Week 3.