Los Angeles Rams starting quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to start the opener against the visiting Houston Texas, coach Sean McVay told reporters on Monday.
Stafford missed the first several weeks of training camp, battling an aggravated disc in his back. According to ESPN, he has been a full participant in practice since Aug. 18, in both individual and team drills.
The 17-year veteran restructured his contract in the offseason, signing a two-year deal with cap hits of $47 million-plus in 2025 and 2026, according to Over The Cap.
Stafford, 37, played in 16 of 17 regular-season games for the 2024 Rams, who upset Minnesota in the wild-card round of the playoffs and lost a 28-22 decision to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
He threw for 533 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in those two contests after amassing 3,762 passing yards, 20 TDs and eight interceptions in the regular season.
The longtime Detroit Lions starter, Stafford led Los Angeles to its first Super Bowl championship in his first season of 2021. He is ranked 10th in NFL history with 59,809 passing yards.
McVay also believes left tackle Alaric Jackson, a Monday participant in practice, will start against Houston. He has been dealing with blot clots in his lower leg.
“I do believe that we’ll be at our best with him out there,” McVay told reporters.
