Stafford’s Sore Elbow Raises Questions for Rams

The ice on Matthew Stafford’s throwing arm after the Rams’ 24-9 win over the Chargers has renewed questions about the quarterback’s health and the team’s offensive approach. Coach Sean McVay said on Monday that Stafford has soreness, but directed questions about how it feels to Stafford himself.

Stafford has dealt with elbow soreness before, including during the Rams’ 2022 season. The team managed his practice schedule in recent years, and McVay later described the earlier problem as significant. The severity of the current soreness has not been made clear.

The concern comes as Stafford’s passing has become less aggressive. Over the past four games, his average intended air yards per attempt was 5.23, down from 9.5 in the previous four. He has also recorded less than three completed air yards per attempt in each of his last three games. This season, he has thrown eight interceptions, matching his total from last year.

The Rams could reduce the burden on Stafford by leaning more on their running game. They rushed for 198 yards against the Raiders the week before the Chargers win. But the team may need Stafford to throw frequently in games where it cannot run effectively or its defense cannot get stops. There is no indication Stafford has asked to sit out, and McVay has not said whether the arm will affect his availability.