NFL Rumors: Los Angeles Rams Quarterback Matthew Stafford Expected Back for Week 11

The Los Angeles Rams should have their franchise passer back in action for Sunday's crucial divisional showdown with the Seattle Seahawks. According to head coach Sean McVay, injured quarterback Matthew Stafford is progressing well and should be ready to return for Week 11.

Coach McVay provides an update on Matthew Stafford. 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/68av4112ag
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 13, 2023

Stafford injured the thumb on his throwing hand in the Rams' Week 8 43-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He completed 13 of 22 passes for 162 yards, one touchdown, and one interception before exiting the game. He was replaced by Brett Rypien, who completed five of 10 passes for 42 yards.

Due to a Week 10 bye, Stafford will end up missing only one game with the injury, which is great news for the Rams. Rypien struggled mightily in his only start, netting a mere 119 passing yards and turning the ball over twice in a 20-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 9.

At 3-6, the Rams aren't completely out of the playoff hunt, but they're running out of time to turn their season around. Stafford's return is cause for hope, but injuries and diminished surrounding talent have seen him fall back to earth the past couple of years after a dramatic Super Bowl run in 2021. Over his past 17 starts, Stafford has netted a mere 223.8 passing yards per game due in large part to a colossal 7.6% sack rate.

Still, the Rams have other reasons for optimism. Rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua leads all first-year pass catchers with 827 receiving yards, and Super Bowl LVI MVP and 2021 AP Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp has produced 72.8 receiving yards per game since returning from injury in Week 5. If the Rams can keep their talent on the field, they'll be competitive over the closing stretch of the season.