Rams Shut Down Stafford

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Psycho_X

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Ugh, don't like the sound of this at all. But is an opinion based on limited facts so yeah....


Watch: Doctor explains what spinal cord contusion means for Matthew Stafford’s future
Cameron DaSilva
Mon, December 5, 2022, 11:41 AM

After a few weeks of uncertainty and questions about Matthew Stafford’s condition, Sean McVay finally revealed Sunday what’s going on with the veteran quarterback. He told reporters that Stafford has a spinal cord contusion and is likely to miss the rest of the season.


Any injury to the spine is obviously worrisome, especially for a player who takes as many hits as Stafford does. McVay stopped short of saying how long the typical recovery, which left many wondering whether Stafford will be healthy for 2023.

“That’s an injury that is anywhere between – there’s a good chance that’s probably the case,” McVay said when asked if Stafford is out for the year.

He didn’t immediately rule Stafford out for the season, which could be taken as a good sign, but this is a real concern for the Rams and their star quarterback.

Dr. David Chao, who goes by Pro Football Doc on Twitter, shared a video explaining Stafford’s injury and whether it’s a career-threatening issue. Based on what Chao heard about the injury, including the numbness Stafford felt in both legs, he’s worried about the long-term effects of the contusion.


“It was the neck issue that caused numbness into both of his legs. This is very concerning anytime numbness goes to legs from a neck injury and also both sides. That’s why it implied some sort of spinal cord issue,” Chao said.

A contusion is basically a bruise to the spinal cord, which could require surgery.

“Obviously, you cannot mess around with the spinal cord,” he continued. “Any small risk of permanent damage needs to be avoided. This is why he’s being shut down for the season. What the medical staff has to do is find out why it happened. Was there instability at one segment? Was there a disc? Was there a canal narrowing? What is it and how do you correct it and prevent it? Which might mean surgery.”

In Chao’s mind, the options for Stafford are either have surgery or retire, which seem like two extremes with no middle ground.

“It seems Matthew Stafford and his family will have a choice this offseason,” Chao said. “Either do something to correct the risk of further spinal cord contusion and potential permanent damage, usually with a neck surgery, fusion surgery, decompression surgery of some kind, which you can return to play. Or you can decide to hang it up after 14 seasons and a Super Bowl ring. This will be a real question for Matthew Stafford as to what he wants to do.”

Chao isn’t the Rams’ team doctor and he hasn’t actually diagnosed Stafford, so he’s just basing his analysis on past experience with this sort of injury. But this sure doesn’t seem like a minor injury for Stafford.
 

SWAdude

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Ugh, don't like the sound of this at all. But is an opinion based on limited facts so yeah....


Watch: Doctor explains what spinal cord contusion means for Matthew Stafford’s future
Cameron DaSilva
Mon, December 5, 2022, 11:41 AM

After a few weeks of uncertainty and questions about Matthew Stafford’s condition, Sean McVay finally revealed Sunday what’s going on with the veteran quarterback. He told reporters that Stafford has a spinal cord contusion and is likely to miss the rest of the season.


Any injury to the spine is obviously worrisome, especially for a player who takes as many hits as Stafford does. McVay stopped short of saying how long the typical recovery, which left many wondering whether Stafford will be healthy for 2023.

“That’s an injury that is anywhere between – there’s a good chance that’s probably the case,” McVay said when asked if Stafford is out for the year.

He didn’t immediately rule Stafford out for the season, which could be taken as a good sign, but this is a real concern for the Rams and their star quarterback.

Dr. David Chao, who goes by Pro Football Doc on Twitter, shared a video explaining Stafford’s injury and whether it’s a career-threatening issue. Based on what Chao heard about the injury, including the numbness Stafford felt in both legs, he’s worried about the long-term effects of the contusion.


“It was the neck issue that caused numbness into both of his legs. This is very concerning anytime numbness goes to legs from a neck injury and also both sides. That’s why it implied some sort of spinal cord issue,” Chao said.

A contusion is basically a bruise to the spinal cord, which could require surgery.

“Obviously, you cannot mess around with the spinal cord,” he continued. “Any small risk of permanent damage needs to be avoided. This is why he’s being shut down for the season. What the medical staff has to do is find out why it happened. Was there instability at one segment? Was there a disc? Was there a canal narrowing? What is it and how do you correct it and prevent it? Which might mean surgery.”

In Chao’s mind, the options for Stafford are either have surgery or retire, which seem like two extremes with no middle ground.

“It seems Matthew Stafford and his family will have a choice this offseason,” Chao said. “Either do something to correct the risk of further spinal cord contusion and potential permanent damage, usually with a neck surgery, fusion surgery, decompression surgery of some kind, which you can return to play. Or you can decide to hang it up after 14 seasons and a Super Bowl ring. This will be a real question for Matthew Stafford as to what he wants to do.”

Chao isn’t the Rams’ team doctor and he hasn’t actually diagnosed Stafford, so he’s just basing his analysis on past experience with this sort of injury. But this sure doesn’t seem like a minor injury for Stafford.
As much as this pains me to think about I really wonder why Mathew Stafford would come back to the game that has a huge downside after a HOF career to this point.

My guess is the decision has been made and the process for the future has started heavily.

Sure hope I am wrong. Can't think of a quick fix for this situation right now.
 

SWAdude

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McVay say its not a long term injury

Just reading between the lines........

Having a healthy off season does not mean he is coming back.

This is a tough one with everything considered.
 

Ellard80

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Just reading between the lines........

Having a healthy off season does not mean he is coming back.

This is a tough one with everything considered.

Did you read the link?

They asked McVay if it was a long term injury

He said "no"

that's as direct as you can get.
 

SWAdude

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Did you read the link?

They asked McVay if it was a long term injury

He said "no"

that's as direct as you can get.
I did read the article.

It did not say he was going to have a healthy off season AND return.

Many veterans would retire after two concussions and a bruised spinal cord.

A current injury not being long term tells you nothing about further risks. Right?
 

blackbart

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Some guy on Twitter has an opinion about Stafford’s injury, ok whatever.

I’ll wait for something official from Stafford or the team before I start thinking the end of the world is imminent.
 

Zodi

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Did you read the link?

They asked McVay if it was a long term injury

He said "no"

that's as direct as you can get.

It's not now, but why risk it when you have five women at home who depend on you?
 

ReekofRams

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Ugh, don't like the sound of this at all. But is an opinion based on limited facts so yeah....


Watch: Doctor explains what spinal cord contusion means for Matthew Stafford’s future
Cameron DaSilva
Mon, December 5, 2022, 11:41 AM

After a few weeks of uncertainty and questions about Matthew Stafford’s condition, Sean McVay finally revealed Sunday what’s going on with the veteran quarterback. He told reporters that Stafford has a spinal cord contusion and is likely to miss the rest of the season.


Any injury to the spine is obviously worrisome, especially for a player who takes as many hits as Stafford does. McVay stopped short of saying how long the typical recovery, which left many wondering whether Stafford will be healthy for 2023.

“That’s an injury that is anywhere between – there’s a good chance that’s probably the case,” McVay said when asked if Stafford is out for the year.

He didn’t immediately rule Stafford out for the season, which could be taken as a good sign, but this is a real concern for the Rams and their star quarterback.

Dr. David Chao, who goes by Pro Football Doc on Twitter, shared a video explaining Stafford’s injury and whether it’s a career-threatening issue. Based on what Chao heard about the injury, including the numbness Stafford felt in both legs, he’s worried about the long-term effects of the contusion.


“It was the neck issue that caused numbness into both of his legs. This is very concerning anytime numbness goes to legs from a neck injury and also both sides. That’s why it implied some sort of spinal cord issue,” Chao said.

A contusion is basically a bruise to the spinal cord, which could require surgery.

“Obviously, you cannot mess around with the spinal cord,” he continued. “Any small risk of permanent damage needs to be avoided. This is why he’s being shut down for the season. What the medical staff has to do is find out why it happened. Was there instability at one segment? Was there a disc? Was there a canal narrowing? What is it and how do you correct it and prevent it? Which might mean surgery.”

In Chao’s mind, the options for Stafford are either have surgery or retire, which seem like two extremes with no middle ground.

“It seems Matthew Stafford and his family will have a choice this offseason,” Chao said. “Either do something to correct the risk of further spinal cord contusion and potential permanent damage, usually with a neck surgery, fusion surgery, decompression surgery of some kind, which you can return to play. Or you can decide to hang it up after 14 seasons and a Super Bowl ring. This will be a real question for Matthew Stafford as to what he wants to do.”

Chao isn’t the Rams’ team doctor and he hasn’t actually diagnosed Stafford, so he’s just basing his analysis on past experience with this sort of injury. But this sure doesn’t seem like a minor injury for Stafford.
This is the same guy that said it would be impossible for Cam Akers to come back last year after tearing his Achilles’ tendon. So he obviously isn’t up to date on all the medical advancements.
 

RamWoodie

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I think it's a great move. Now...if you ask me... get Perkins out there! I think the Rams could have beat the Hags had Perkins got the start. He can escape pressure better than Wolford and he's much taller and he has the stronger arm. He's better in the RPO too.

Not that Wolford didn't do well yesterday...but of you watched him, there were many passes he missed simply because he had to jump and throw which made the ball sail.
 

oldnotdead

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Again I say that the Rams now understand that Matthew Stafford is one hit from retirement. Since neither backups are the starter of the furture they have no choice but grab a QB this coming draft. But again there are only a couple of QBs in the draft I'd sell the farm for. And this situation points to the clear danger of going with yet another vet. You are essentially buying a battered used car.

I think they will go for an interim solution. All that is predicated on Stafford not retiring. That said I think the odds of him hanging it up are huge now. If he doesn't the QB market for the Rams might be much bigger in 2024. It the Rams feel that way and Matt says he will go another year, then I see them either drafting or signing a bridge QB as their backup insurance in 2023. Then in 2024 sell the farm for a QB.

IMO it all comes down to what HIS doctor says. The issue is that Matt will remember what he went thru when Kelly was sick. There is no way he would put her through the anxiety season after season. No, if there is a chance another hit will be a career-ender with significant damage long-term I see him retiring in January.

In that regard, no one should be critical of that decision. This is why I've said even if Stafford comes back he's only going to be year to year. When you look at his contract they structured an out for the Rams in 2026 so they anticipated needing another QB at some point before the end of the contract. When I looked at the contract I always thought the Rams who like to be proactive, would move on from Stafford in 2025.
 

FarNorth

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Again I say that the Rams now understand that Matthew Stafford is one hit from retirement.
Appears to me that hit already happened. None of us really understand his medical situation, but numbness in the legs caused by a contusion of the spinal cord and neck sounds pretty freaking serious to me.

Personally I have gone from not being surprised if Stafford retires to likely expecting it. Why would he go on?

But if he does, obviously the Rams need a serious rebuild of the oline or Stafford likely won't last long next year either. And they need more playmakers on offense, not just Kupp. And other pieces on both sides of the ball to be a serious competitor.

Meanwhile Rams haven't had a top 50 pick since 2017. They've let a number of solid players walk over the same period due to salary cap constraints. The Super Bowl win last year was fueled by last minute acquisitions of Miller, OBJ, and Eric Weddle, now all gone along with Big Whit. We also have really a lot of bucks tied up the next two years in a small group of players (AD, Ramsay, Stafford, Kupp). Not much apparent cap space, though this is admittedly a murky subject to most of us outside the front office.

But seems clear it will take some serious creativity from McVay and Snead to persuade Stafford to keep going, rebuild the oline, and restock the roster to compete at a high level.
 

Steve808

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Can’t say I’m all that surprised.

Here’s the bright side - no way this is how Stafford ends his career. This, if anything, confirms for me that he’s preparing for 2023.

He should enter next season healthier than he’s been in a long time.

Rest up, Matthew…and see you in September.

Cooper should be on that list as well.