Matthew Stafford is finally back on a practice field.
The Rams quarterback, who's been sidelined by a sore back, took the field for Monday's session in full pads for the first time this summer.
Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters after practice that Stafford participated in 26 plays of team drills, per the team's official website.
"It was good to be able to have Matthew out there. He did a good job today. I thought he looked good. I don't really have any updates," McVay said. "We're going to keep it a day and really a week at a time, but it was great to be able to see him out there today. We'll see how this afternoon goes and tomorrow."
It might seem like a footnote in the larger NFL landscape, but as the calendar creeps closer toward September, Rams fans have gradually grown more concerned with Stafford's status, which has progressed from mysterious to worrisome.
Stafford went through a pregame workout nine days ago, but his back issue -- for which he's received epidurals to manage pain -- hadn't improved enough to allow him to participate last week. Fortunately, it seems as if he's progressed enough to finally take the field.
If Stafford isn't fully ready to go by Week 1, veteran backup Jimmy Garoppolo would be in line to replace him. Preseason hero Stetson Bennett exists as the third-string option behind Garoppolo, but for a Rams team aiming to build upon its Divisional Round appearance last season, Stafford's availability remains paramount.
