One of the biggest worries for the Los Angeles Rams entering the season was their quarterback position. Early in the offseason, rumors of retirement plagued their superstar, Matthew Stafford. Eventually, though, he made his way back onto the team.
However, the worries for Los Angeles weren’t over, as a back injury continued to hang over the Rams like a dark cloud throughout the offseason. Through training camp and preseason, Stafford got virtually no reps with the team, raising legitimate questions about how he would fare during the season. Unfortunately for the Rams’ fan base, those worries came back in a bad way when they clashed against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3.
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What Happened to Matthew Stafford?
A lopsided first half saw LA take a commanding 26-7 lead over the Eagles. Dominating on both sides of the football, it seemed like they would cruise to victory. However, a resurgent Philly squad surged back into the game in the third quarter, bringing the score to 26-21.
To make matters worse for the Rams, their quarterback seemed to have hurt his back once again. On a third-down conversion to Puka Nacua that was correctly challenged by Los Angeles after being ruled an incompletion, Stafford was hit hard.
Fans were quick to notice, particularly with the Super Bowl-winning quarterback having real problems on the sideline. “That’s a catch. But Stafford hurt his back? He was walking stiff as hell with that trainer.”
Matthew Stafford was checked out by the Rams’ medical staff after the hit he took on third down, but he is back in the huddle for LA.
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) September 21, 2025
Immediately after, Sarah Barshop of ESPN brought an update on X: “Matthew Stafford was checked out by the Rams’ medical staff after the hit he took on third down, but he is back in the huddle for LA.”
On the night, Stafford recorded the 382nd passing touchdown of his career, moving into ninth place all-time. However, it wasn’t enough for the Rams, as they blew a 26-7 lead to the Eagles, as the two-time Pro Bowler finished with 196 yards and two touchdowns, while completing 19 of his 33 passing attempts.
It wasn’t all on the former Detroit Lions star, though, as he set up a 36-yard and 44-yard field goal in the final period. Unfortunately, Philadelphia was able to block them both times, finishing with a Jordan Davis scoop and score to give the Eagles a 33-26 victory.
