Sean McVay won’t have to worry about Matthew Stafford catching a twice-tipped pass and stumbling over the goal line during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys.
That anxiety-inducing event occurred last year when the Rams practiced against the Cowboys.
On Tuesday, the Rams again travel to Oxnard to practice against the Cowboys before Saturday’s preseason game at SoFi Stadium.
But the back issue that sidelined Stafford throughout training camp will keep him off the field.
When the Rams go through a jog-through on Monday, Stafford will continue to work out on his own, McVay said Sunday after the final public workout at Loyola Marymount.
“He is able to do a little bit more, which is good, and things are progressing well,” McVay said. “But he won’t take part in the jog-through because he’ll be doing some other stuff during that time.”
McVay said Stafford’s workouts with trainers have included some static throwing exercises, running on a treadmill, light cardio and core work.
“It’s more just functional strength surrounding the area while making sure that you don’t do anything to set yourself back, based on the trajectory that he’s doing,” McVay said. “But we are looking forward to getting him and easing him back to football hopefully in the near future.”
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will lead the first-team offense against the Cowboys, Stetson Bennett the second.
McVay does not play starters or other significant players during preseason games. Joint practices with the Cowboys and next week with the Chargers will enable Rams starters to get snaps heading into the Sept. 7 opener against the Houston Texans.
“It’s really beneficial for us to be able to get our starters what would be close to the equivalent of a game,” McVay said.
Last year, at least three minor skirmishes broke out between the Cowboys offense and the Rams defense. None interrupted the workout for more than a few moments.
After two weeks of training camp workouts, offensive guard Kevin Dotson welcomes the opportunity to go “full out” against another team, “knowing you’re not going to hurt your team by going hard.”
“Really want to see how I’m stacking up against high-caliber players and people from other teams,” Dotson said.
During the practice, which features no tackling, the Rams and Cowboys will work on regular down-and-distance, third downs, series from inside the 20-yard line, two-minute drills and other situations, McVay said.
“That’s beneficial, to be able to get what inevitably does come up in the majority of the games,” he said, adding, “They’ve been a group that we’ve worked with before that’s gone really well.”
Etc.
Safety Quentin Lake intercepted another pass, giving him three interceptions during training camp. … Tight end Davis Allen made the catch of the day, an acrobatic grab on a mid-range pass from Garoppolo for a touchdown. … Running back Blake Corum broke free for another long touchdown run, and running back Kyren Williams had several impressive runs, including one for a short touchdown. … Receiver Davante Adams got another rest day. … Defensive lineman Kobie Turner (back) did not practice.
This story originally appeared on LA Times
