Matthew Stafford visits back specialist in worrying update on Rams quarterback ahead of new season

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has visited a back specialist as his return to the field for the team is still up in the air in the latest worrying update for the 37-year-old. 

Stafford's first practice since Rams' training camp opened last month has appeared imminent, until Sunday. 

That was when news of Stafford visiting Dr. Robert Watkins again was publicized, with the former Super Bowl winner making a stop on Saturday.  

Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay has kept pushing back Stafford's foray back into football, all in the name of having his star man be at full health on September 7 for the team's first regular season game. 

Stafford will not participate in the team's 'jog-through' on Monday and will have his own workout on the side. 

'It's static throwing. It's some of the unloaded running on the treadmill. Sometimes it might even be walking. Cardio and core,' McVay said Sunday. 

The Rams have a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, which Stafford would have most likely been held out of, even if he was at full health, based on McVay's previous patterns of having younger players in those spots.  

McVay rated Stafford as 'week-to-week' as the status for his starting quarterback grows more uncertain. 

'What I don’t want to do is set a timeline,' McVay said. 'I know he’s making good progress. He saw Dr. Watkins again. ... Everything is in good shape.'

Stafford will be entering his 17th NFL season whenever he takes the field, leading the Rams to a Divisional round appearance last season where Los Angeles fell to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles. 

'Can’t wait to be able to get Matthew back out here leading the way,' McVay said, adding that Stafford felt the same way. 'But in the meantime, Stetson (Bennett) and Jimmy (Garoppolo) are doing a really good job of continuing to get better and using these reps for their benefit.'