Stafford shakes off rust on the first day of camp
IRVINE » Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford started his 14th training camp with a few more gray hairs on his beard and looked the part when he expressed dislike for his new Instagram account.
It’s unknown if Stafford joined social media by force because the 34-yearold quarterback declined to share details and requested to keep the questions about football.
“You can ask me all the football questions you want, just don’t ask me about that,” Stafford said Sunday.
Reporters had no problem with Stafford’s request because his throwing arm was the biggest storyline of Day 1 of Rams’ training camp at UC Irvine.
Stafford’s first pass in public since winning Super Bowl LVI was a completion to his go-to wide receiver Cooper Kupp during individual drills. His second pass was to newcomer wideout Allen Robinson.
Stafford didn’t throw during the offseason program because he received an elbow injection in his throwing arm for an issue that bothered him throughout the 2021 season.
“It feels good to get out there,” Stafford said. “Definitely knocking some rust off and feeling it again, but it’s good to get out there and stress it a little bit and see how it reacts.”
Stafford’s first pass in team drills was nearly intercepted by defensive back Terrell Burgess, but he quickly settled in and made a few impressive throws to Robinson, who left the Chicago Bears to sign a three-year, $46.5 million contract with the Rams in March.
“(Stafford) was at his best in some of the unscripted scenarios today,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “He was a full participant today. … We will continue to build him up. We’re aware of what that pitch count is, but it didn’t restrict him from being able to do anything today.”
Not much has changed for Stafford on the field. He’s a year older with a new Instagram account, which gained more than 131,000 followers in the first 48 hours. Just don’t ask him about social media.
Ramsey not on PUP
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey wasn’t mentioned when the Rams officially announced their physically unable to perform list before the start of practice Sunday.
The Rams had planned to place Ramsey, who had shoulder surgery last month, on the PUP list, but decided against it after doctors cleared him for walk-through drills.
Ramsey started the first training camp practice by lining up with Aaron Donald, Bobby Wagner and the rest of the first-team defense in walk-through drills against Stafford and his offense. But Ramsey was sidelined for individuals and team drills.
“We ended up not putting Jalen Ramsey on the PUP as a result of doctors clearing him in a limited fashion that enables him to participate in a lot of the jog throughs and above the neck stuff,” McVay said. “To be able to have him out here with his teammates, and all the things we ask of him, we felt good about that.”
Wide receiver Warren Jackson, defensive back Quentin Lake and running back Kyren Williams were placed on the PUP list. Inside linebacker Travin
Howard was placed on the non-football injury list. McVay said Lake is dealing with a knee injury.
Williams was no longer sporting a walking boot, and is on track to be ready for the start of the regular season. The rookie from Notre Dame could return for the scrimmages against the Cincinnati Bengals next month, according to McVay.
Shelton takes first shot
Coleman Shelton took most of the first-team reps at right guard and also rotated at center with Stafford under center.
Shelton’s experience and versatility gives him an advantage for the right guard opening, but McVay said nothing has been decided. Rookie Logan Bruss saw action at right guard when Shelton played center to give Brian Allen a breather.
“Coleman can start at any of the three interior spots and perform at a high level,” McVay said. “He’s going to get an opportunity to do that and guys like Logan Bruss, but we’re really going to open it up and try to see what it looks like to find who’s going to be that fifth player playing with the other four guys who are established.”
Shelton said starting two games last season will benefit him this summer with hopes of starting next to left tackle Joe Noteboom, left guard David Edwards, Allen and right tackle Rob Havenstein.
But Shelton, a fifth-year player, said he has no issues with helping Bruss find his footing.
“He’s a mature kid,” Shelton said. “He came into a good situation. I like Logan, he’s a great guy. He’s working hard and he seems ready to go.”