“We Are L.A. Strong!”
(East Los Angeles, CA) [From The Editor’s Desk]: As the pace in final preparations for the new season winds down, the next phase of this training camp begins Saturday, 8/9, when the Rams open their pre-season schedule with the Dallas Cowboys.
Yes, NFL football is finally and 100% back in our City, and the Rams are ready to showcase many of their new faces on the team in the persons of the 2025 rookie class, the very much-welcomed return of veteran players who have been injured, and free agent signings. With that said, it’s now time to give a very good read to what Head Coach Sean McVay had to say about his team at his weekly press availability at the team’s Training Facility.
Rams Transcripts – Head Coach Sean McVay – 8/7/25, Thurs.
[Head Coach Sean McVay]
(Opening statement)…
“It was a good day today. I’m sure you guys have questions. That’s nothing new in terms of what’s been reported on [Quarterback] Matthew [Stafford]. The aggravated disc is what led to the sore back so those things are true. Part of getting the epidural was part of the plan dealing with Dr. Watkins in terms of what we felt like was the best case and best scenario to be able to allow him to be as healthy as possible. He’s due to get a good workout in on the day of our preseason game where he is going to throw and that was on par with the schedule that we always had. You’ll see him in practice next week. He won’t participate in the Chargers practice just because we’re looking at it like he’s got an acclimation period that will really start on Saturday once we play the Cowboys. So August 8th was always kind of that day. Our players end up being the day before the preseason game, we just have a modified workload. Saturday for the guys not playing in that preseason game, will represent a great opportunity for Matthew to really start getting out on the field with his guys. Whenever we come back on Monday, you’ll start to see him take part in individuals and all those things, which is exactly what was on par with the plan. Then you’ll start to see him get into practice with our group. Because of the uncontrolled parameters when we go against the Chargers, we’ll hold him out of that practice and then you’ll just continue to see his workload increase as long as he’s feeling good. That’s not any new news. Maybe you have a little bit more parameters, but this has all been part of the original plan all along. Surely you don’t have any follow-up questions [laughter].”
(On what happened to OLB Jared Verse during practice)
“He bumped knees. He and [Defensive End] [Braden] Fiske bumped knees on a little game right there. We’ll hope that he ends up being okay after that.”
(On how Stafford will be able to increase workouts on the field)
“He’s been doing static throwing and different things like that. It’s going to be kind of in alignment with a little bit more of an increase, but it’s something that we feel really good about. This was the plan all along. I’ve kind of held back some of the specifics with you guys, but because of some of the parameters that are out there, I might as well just provide some more context for you guys. This was part of the plan. August 8th was always that date that we had in mind. I was talking about week-to-week for you guys. We weren’t really sure, when we talked to Dr. Watkins, what that would mean in terms of the Chargers practice, but really looking at it and saying, ‘Okay, easing him back in and really being able to build him back up is the smart thing.’ What I do think is important, if this was in season, he would be playing right now. We have taken a very cautious approach, but if we were playing a game this week, he would be playing in the game. I think that’s important for you guys to be aware of.”
(On what caused Stafford to aggravate his back)
“He had a little bit of soreness over the break from the time in between Maui and when we ended up coming back. He was throwing and feeling good, had a little bit of soreness in there, went and got it checked out and you can’t be too smart with these types of things. It did show there was a little bit of an aggravated disc. We felt like the best plan of attack would be to do that epidural and then listen to Dr. Watkins and being able to listen to how Matthew feels. We wanted to err on the side of caution, like what I’ve shared with you guys. As of right now everything is on track to be able to get him a good month of work before we end up opening up against the Texans.”
(On injury updates for TE Terrance Ferguson and LB Nate Landman)
“Those guys are day-to-day with the soft tissue stuff. [Linebacker] Nate Landman has a little bit of a calf [issue] and [Tight end] Terrance [Ferguson] with his groin. Those things can be really challenging. [Cornerback] Emmanuel Forbes is in that group too with his hamstring. A lot of those guys that are dealing with soft tissue stuff right now, they want to get out there as soon as possible. I defer to [Senior Vice President, Sports Medicine and Performance] Reggie [Scott] on those types of things.”
(On if Stafford’s back aggravation is from a previous back injury)
“No, I don’t know that. I know that he’s had some similar things in terms of the disc being aggravated before going back to Detroit. I wouldn’t be equipped before answer that.”
(On what he’s expecting to see from QB Stetson Bennett in preseason and how he’ll evaluate him)
“I just want to see him continue to do what he’s done, keep taking steps in the right direction. I think most importantly, I’ve seen the guy that’s enjoying it, totally immersed and present out on the field, being able to move from one snap to the next. I think you’re looking for good operation in and out of the huddle, good command, good ability to be able to read with his feet and be able to distribute the ball where it goes. Part of the thing that makes his game fun is when things go off-schedule, he can do some pretty creative stuff just by being the natural and instinctive athlete that he is. More than anything, the good operation and really just enjoy the opportunity to go compete and show the work that he’s put in.”
(On whether he has an update on DE Kobie Turner)
“No, I don’t have anything on him. He’s dealing with a little bit of a back as well. He’s kind of week-to-week right now.”
(On what he wants to see from the running backs this preseason)
“I want to see those guys. I want to see them be able to pick and choose the right spots. I think one of the things that’s hardest to evaluate in these types of settings is these running backs. You don’t get tackled, so I want to see these guys be able to level their pads off, play well without the football, but do the things that [Running Backs Coach] Ron’s [Gould] coaching snap in and snap out. When you see some of the cool opportunities to be able to create on your own if that presents itself, let’s see that come to life as well.”
(On Warren McClendon Jr.’s practice)
“I thought he was awesome. [Offensive Lineman] Warren [McClendon Jr.] is a guy that I think he’s taken as many strides as anybody. I think [Offensive Line Coach] Ryan Wendell as a whole has just done such a great job at that offensive line group in addition to [Assistant Offensive Line Coach] Zak Kromer, [Rams Coaching Consultant] Brian Allen. It’s great to be able to have [Former NFL Coach] Mike Munchak anytime that he comes around and his experience and his wisdom and knowledge. But I’ve been really pleased with Warren. He’s obviously very comfortable playing on the right side. I thought the times that he had to come in for [Offensive Lineman] Rob Havenstein last year, he did a great job. Now you’re seeing a guy that has also shown that he can be really functional and is continuing to get better playing the left tackle as well. [He’s] getting comfortable to play in both of those stances. I’m really proud of Warren. I want to continue to see him take those steps, but he did a nice job.”
(On whether he expects the rookies to play with the exception of TE Terrance Ferguson during the preseason)
“I do.”
(On Kevin Dotson’s injury update)
“He got a little chest contusion when they brought one of their internal blitzes the other day. He’s okay. We were just being smarter than anything else. [Defensive Tackle] Poona [Ford] came out of that practice good, but he had a little soreness in his groin so that’s why you didn’t see him out there as well. There were a handful of guys that were in that…we could push it, but they got a bunch of good work in that was trying to simulate a game for us. The next time that we’ll really be back out in a competitive setting will be next Monday. Some of those guys we erred on the side of caution. [Cornerback] Ahkello Witherspoon was one of those guys. There was a lot of guys that were missing today.”
(On if OL D.J. Humphries will play in the preseason)
“We’re still working through those types of things, but I would say it’s more likely that he won’t.”
(On whether there’s a specific position group he’s looking at for the preseason game)
“Yeah, I’m looking at them all. I think one of the things you mentioned… I got asked about the runners. I’m looking forward to watching [Running Back] Blake [Corum], watching [Running Back] Jarquez Hunter and [Running Back] Ronnie [Rivers] and those guys run. Looking forward to seeing our outside linebackers play. Obviously, we know [Linebacker Jared] Verse and [Linebacker Byron Young] ‘BY’ are solidified. There’s a lot of great competition behind those guys for a lot of different roles and responsibilities based on the personnel that we’re in and that’s another spot that I’m looking for.”
(On whether the coordinators will call the preseason game on Saturday)
“It will be a little bit of a mix and match. For this game [Cowboys], [Offensive Coordinator] Mike [LaFleur] will call it for the offense. [Inside Linebackers Coach] Greg Williams will call it for the defense. You want me to go through the whole preseason with you right now (laughter)? I’ll leave it to [Asst. Head Coach/Pass Game Coordinator] Aubrey [Pleasant] in week two. He’s got answers (laughter).”
(On if the wide receiver room will be a big focus this preseason)
“I think it is. I think these guys have really started to show. We’ve had a lot of good opportunities to evaluate these guys. [Wide Receiver [Jordan Whittington] ‘J-Whitt’ did a great job last year. You could really feel his game day demeanor even in a preseason game was outstanding. That’s how I felt about [Wide Receiver] Puka [Nacua] the previous year. For ‘J-Whitt’, no moment’s too big for him. I’m looking forward to watching guys like [Wide Receiver] Xavier [Smith] take steps in the right direction. [Wide Receiver] Konata [Mumpfield] has really done a nice job. You’ve seen guys like [Wide Receiver] Mario Williams and [Wide Receiver] Britain Covey make a couple good plays today. I’m looking forward to watching that group as well.”
– -RAMS–
