Rams expect QB Matthew Stafford to start vs. Seahawks

Stafford sustained a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb during Week 8, causing him to miss the following game against the Green Bay Packers. The Rams had a bye in Week 10, providing Stafford with additional time to recover.

McVay expressed confidence in Stafford’s readiness for the upcoming game, noting that the quarterback participated in individual drills during Monday’s practice session.

“He’s making great progress, and so we’re operating with the anticipation and expectation that he is going to be good to go,” McVay said. “He’ll be pushing through, but we expect him to be able to start and play and do his thing and lead the way this week.”

Rams backup quarterback Brett Rypien struggled in his start against the Packers and was subsequently released during the Rams’ bye week. To fill the vacancy, Los Angeles signed quarterback Carson Wentz, a move described by McVay as “a chance to upgrade the quarterback room.”

“[We] feel good about Matthew returning, and obviously when he’s out there, you feel great about the leadership and everything that he provides, but god forbid if something were to happen where he weren’t available, felt like this would offer an opportunity for somebody that’s played a lot of high level football to get him in here [and] get him kind of familiar with some of the things that we’re doing,” McVay said.

While the Rams drafted quarterback Stetson Bennett in the fourth round to serve as Stafford’s backup this season, he has been placed on the reserve/non-football illness list since Sept. 13. McVay previously stated that he did not anticipate Bennett’s return to the Rams this season.

McVay also announced that the Rams expect right tackle Rob Havenstein and starting inside linebacker Ernest Jones to return against Seattle.