Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford could still be set for a role this season despite his injury status, according to reports.

Both the 2021 and 2022 NFL seasons couldn’t be going more differently for Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Last year was arguably the best that he has had in his career performance-wise, as he threw for a joint-career high 41 touchdowns, the third-highest yards he’s had in his career with 4,886 and a joint-career high pass completion percentage of 67.2%, and whilst he did lead the league in interceptions, it’s fair to say that was quickly forgotten when the Rams won it all in their home stadium. 

But having finally got the monkey off his back from his days with the Detroit Lions about being a talented quarterback that would never win a Super Bowl, the 2022 season arguably could not be going worse, as he’s thrown just 10 touchdowns against 8 interceptions and his yards per game of 231.9 is the third-worst that he’s put up in his career. 

Those numbers have really hindered the Rams when it comes to their play on the field, as they currently sit with a 3-7 record and with their chances of making it through to the postseason looking rather slim with the San Francisco 49ers on a surge and the Seattle Seahawks in control of first place. 

But the problems surrounding Stafford aren’t just with his play, as his health has also suffered something of a knockback as well.

Matthew Stafford goes through major setback

Concussions have been a growing problem in the NFL for a few seasons now, and it appears as though they have caught up to Stafford, as he has been in the league’s ‘concussion protocol’ twice this season and is set to miss their game this afternoon against the Kansas City Chiefs.

A loss, and one that seems likely on paper given how the two teams have been performing this year, would almost certainly end any last hope that the team has of making the playoffs, which might lend itself to the idea of the Rams sitting Stafford and letting him recover so that he can come back in 2023 and help them bounce back.

But according to Ian Rapoport, who was speaking on the NFL Network, that doesn’t seem to be the way the Rams want to approach things.

Video: Ian Rapoport delivers injury update on Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford:

It does seem like a bit of a risk to take, especially because the Rams don’t have anything to fight for. It probably would be better for them to let him rest, give the backup quarterbacks a chance to prove themselves and maybe look for a better draft pick*.

*The Rams don’t have a first-round pick in 2023, with that given up in order to get Stafford in the first place, but at least they can move down a bit in the later rounds.