Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is dealing with an unsure future within the NFL. The Tremendous Bowl champion hasn’t featured for the Rams since their Week 11 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Head coach Sean McVay positioned the quarterback on injured reserve, doubtless ending his 2022 season. The harm had been considerably of a thriller. McVay informed reporters after Sunday’s Seattle sport that Stafford has a spinal contusion.
Given the character of the quarterback place and the fixed hits gamers take, having a spinal twine harm is lower than supreme. Dr. David Chao, for one, is anxious about Stafford’s long-term well being. In a video on his YouTube channel, he detailed that the quarterback and his household have a selection – get surgical procedure to appropriate it, or retire:
“It appears Matthew Stafford and his household could have a selection this offseason. Both do one thing to appropriate the danger of additional spinal twine contusion and potential everlasting injury, often with a neck surgical procedure, fusion surgical procedure, decompression surgical procedure of some sort, which you’ll return to play. Or you possibly can resolve to hold it up after 14 seasons and a Tremendous Bowl ring.”
Many thought the quarterback was coping with a concussion, but it surely’s clearly his spinal twine. As Chao acknowledged in his video, that isn’t one thing to fiddle with. The offseason seems to be to be a quite massive one for the Rams quantity 9.
Might Matthew Stafford actually retire?
Going by Chao’s feedback, there could possibly be an actual chance that the 34-year-old hangs up the cleats at season’s finish. Whereas not dominated out for all the yr, in the case of accidents to the backbone, excessive warning should be taken.
Wanting on the quarterback’s profession, there is not actually any want for him to proceed within the face of that kind of harm. He has performed for 14 years within the NFL and has his Tremendous Bowl ring. There may be nothing left for him to show to anybody, so perhaps calling it quits to concentrate on his well being is not the worst thought.
Former Carolina Panthers star Luke Kuechly did one thing comparable and retired in 2020, being simply over 30 years previous as he prioritized his well being over soccer. Given the gravity of Stafford’s state of affairs, maybe he ought to do the identical.
If you happen to use any of the above quotes, please credit score David Chao and H/T Sportskeeda.
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