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Rams' Matthew Stafford Cracked 4 Ribs in Week 15, Played Through Injury, Wife Says

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIJanuary 22, 2025

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles makes a call on the line during an NFL Football game against the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium on October 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Michael Owens/Getty Images

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford led his team to the Divisional Round despite dealing with an injury for several weeks.

Kelly Stafford, Matthew's wife, revealed on The Morning After with Kelly Stafford & Hank podcast that the Rams signal-caller suffered four cracked ribs during a 12-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 15 (starting at the 19:40 mark).

Stafford played through the injury in Sunday's season-ending 28-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Sarah Barshop @sarahbarshop

Kelly Stafford said on her podcast that Matthew Stafford cracked four ribs against the 49ers in Week 15. Stafford aggravated the injury against the Eagles on Sunday and acknowledged after the game that he'd been dealing with a rib injury "for some time."

The 16-year veteran has enjoyed a fantastic career that includes a Super Bowl LVI win in Feb. 2022. The two-time Pro Bowler is 10th all-time in passing yards (59,089) and passing touchdowns (377).

Stafford also threw for 4,000 or more yards seven straight times (2011-2017) when he played for the Detroit Lions. He's also thrown for 41 touchdown passes on two separate occasions (2011, 2021).

The 36-year-old is still excelling deep into his career, leading the Rams to 10 wins and an NFC West title in 2024. Stafford completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.

It's been a great comeback effort for Stafford after a spinal cord contusion prematurely ended his 2022 campaign, which lasted just nine games. He followed that up with 3,965 yards and 24 touchdowns for the playoff-clinching Rams in 2023.

Obviously, Stafford has been exceptional in L.A. after 12 years in Detroit. The Rams are a much better team with him piloting the offense.

Now that his season is over, Stafford will have time to let the injury heal as he contemplates his future.