Rams hopeful QB Matthew Stafford returns for first game after bye week

The sprained UCL in his right thumb isn't an injury that Stafford can play with through sheer toughness.

GREEN BAY, Wisc. – The Rams wanted to give quarterback Matthew Stafford enough time for the sprained UCL in his right thumb to heal, in hopes he could play Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

But after the Rams’ 20-3 loss to the Packers, the offense sputtering in his absence, the question turns to when Stafford will be able to take the field again.

Backup Brett Rypien said he found out he would start on Friday, when it became clear that Stafford’s injury was preventing him from gripping a football with his throwing hand. Stafford still made the trip to Green Bay, but there was no last-second miracle that allowed him to dress for the game at Lambeau Field.

The Rams (3-6) have a bye in Week 10, then host the Seattle Seahawks in Week 11. Whether that extra week of rest allows Stafford to miss just this one game and return then remains in question.

“He’s making good progress, but it wasn’t anywhere to where we thought he’d be able to go for us,” head coach Sean McVay said. “Whenever we get him back, we’ll certainly be excited about that. Hopefully it’s when we come back and play Seattle but I can’t give you any updates as it relates to exactly where he’s at.”

Stafford has a history of playing through injury dating back to his days in Detroit. Just this year, he bruised his hip in the second half against Indianapolis and stayed in the game despite his clear limitations to lead a game-winning drive in overtime. That hip continued to bother him for the subsequent weeks, but Stafford did not miss a snap.

But a thumb injury on his throwing hand isn’t something he can gut out like normal. Only time will tell when he is ready to play again.

“This guy’s as tough as it gets. He’s gonna play through stuff that not a lot of people will do,” McVay said. “I don’t know enough about where we’re at in regards to recovery, ability to grip the ball. I’m optimistic; I’ll leave that door open.”

Higbee injures hand

In the first quarter against the Packers, tight end Tyler Higbee asked to come out of the game after a snap. When he reached the sideline, he bent over, holding his left hand.

Higbee returned to the game, but was clearly limited in his ability to block or catch the ball, even dropping a pass. McVay acknowledged that Higbee had been dealing with a right thumb injury of his own entering the game and has been playing through various injuries.

Cornerback shuffle

The Rams opted for a new arrangement at corner on Sunday. Ahkello Witherspoon stayed at his usual spot at outside corner, but Cobie Durant moved outside from the star position, while safety Quentin Lake played star. This left Derion Kendrick with the reserves on Sunday.

When Durant left the game with what appeared to be a reaggravation of his shoulder injury from last week, Duke Shelley took his spot at outside corner and recovered a fumble in the third quarter.

Briefly

Right tackle Rob Havenstein (calf) was inactive for Sunday’s game as Joe Noteboom started in his place.