Los Angeles Rams' Head Coach Sean McVay Reveals Details Surrounding QB Matthew Stafford's Injury

Matthew Stafford wasn't injured enough to miss action on Sunday until the second half, according to head coach Sean McVay.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is known for being one of the toughest players in the league, but even he can't play through certain injuries.

Stafford seemed to injure his thumb on Sunday, and most people, including those on the FOX broadcast of the game, seemed to think the injury started with hitting his hand on a helmet during a throw in the first half. Head coach Sean McVay indicated following his team's loss to the Dallas Cowboys that, while that hurt, it wasn't what forced Stafford to miss the rest of the second half.

Instead, it was when he caught a two-point conversion in the third quarter.

Oct 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) reacts on the bench during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports / © Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

"He banged it on the two-point attempt," McVay said. "It looked like he [hit the thumb] when he was finishing a throw. That wasn't the injury that limited him. You saw him, he takes us right down the field on the opening drive of the second half. Looked like the stud that we know and love.

"Unfortunately, it looked like that injury occurred that kept him out for the rest of the game, It did occur when he ended up catching the two-point attempt."

Stafford's health moving forward will be a make-or-break moment for the Rams, now 3-5 overall and almost entering "must-win" territory to keep pace in the NFC playoff race. He's a franchise quarterback, and in the NFL, that means the success of the team rides on his shoulders.

Can backup Brett Rypien who relieved Stafford on Sunday keep Los Angeles afloat should the starter miss a significant amount of time? He went 5-for-10 on Sunday for 42 yards through the air, but that alone will not be enough to replace a talent like Stafford's.

For now, Rams fans have to hope that Stafford's injury isn't that serious and that he can return to action sooner rather than later. L.A. is scheduled to travel to the struggling Green Bay Packers next week before returning home to face a division foe in the Seattle Seahawks.