Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is reportedly dealing with a herniated disc in his lower back, a development that casts doubt on his readiness for the 2025 season. According to Dr. David Chao, Pro Football Doc, the injury is more serious than initially believed and could range in impact from minor discomfort to a potential season-ending issue. Here's a breakdown of what this means for Stafford and the Rams moving forward.
Why It Could Be Good News
"Look, this is what we said — the type of injury, there’s no trauma. He’s better off if there’s like a transverse process fracture. It’s a limited time, 2 weeks, he’s good to go. This just crept up. That’s why I said low back pain, discogenic back pain, herniated disc are on the equation, and now it’s a herniated disc."
Best Case Scenario
"Best-case scenario is Philip Rivers. He had it, 2014, and took epidurals, finished the season, didn’t miss much time — a practice or two. Philip is the Ironman of all time — just saw him at the Hall of Fame stuff. Matt Stafford is the next Ironman in quarterbacks, right? And so that’s the good news side of it, but missing practice — not a big deal for Matt Stafford."
Worst Case Scenario
"This is Tony Romo, who in the past had a herniated disc, had surgery, missed the end of the season, returned to play. That’s the worst-case scenario. Not saying that’s gonna happen."
While Stafford’s herniated disc is a cause for concern, the severity and impact will depend on how his body responds to treatment, including possible epidural injections. The Rams are likely to proceed with caution, hoping to avoid surgery and preserve his availability for the regular season. As Dr. Chao notes, this is a condition that requires close monitoring, not panic. With the regular season approaching, Stafford’s status remains uncertain, but not yet alarming.
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