The Latest on Matthew Stafford’s Elbow Injury

The Los Angeles Rams have been dealing with a handful of injuries already in the pre-season, and a big was has been quarterback Matthew Stafford.

The former Detroit Lions quarterback made headlines a few weeks back, due to his injured throwing elbow. During the offseason, Stafford received an injection in the problem elbow to reduce inflammation, and it was still causing him to miss training camp.

Now, it appears Stafford is back and ready to rock again. Following Stafford's first appearance with the Rams in the pre-season, coach Sean McVay had nothing but positive words about Stafford's performance.

"I thought he had great energy, great command all day,” McVay told NFL reporters. “I thought he threw the ball incredibly accurately in all parts of the field, really activated all parts of our pass game. There was a couple where he’s hitting the spots we want and we just have to be able to finish some of those plays. I’m encouraged because we can coach off of those and we are getting those opportunities to feel what it’s like for him to be able to throw with Allen [Robinson]. Ben Skowronek made a handful of plays, also TuTu [Atwell]. He’s got a comfort level with [Tyler] Higbee and with Cooper [Kupp]. But some of these newer guys, today was a great step in the right direction to be able to start establishing that rapport that will be critical for this year."

We're nearing football season, which makes me a happy girl. You know I'm a huge fan of football in Michigan, both college and NFL. Most of my friends prefer college football, but I really enjoy watching NFL just as much and seeing who has a chance to make it to the Super Bowl.

Matthew Stafford, formerly of the Detroit Lions, won a Super Bowl last season with his new team, the Los Angeles Rams. Even with that win, the quarterback doesn't always get the respect one would think a quarterback who just won the Super Bowl would get. Granted, he has an all-start team with the Rams, so perhaps he's not getting the respect because some of the Rams' players, such as Aaron Donald, are considered the best in the entire league and, hence, more crucial when it comes to winning big games. Regardless, it's hard to ignore that Stafford rarely gets the respect as a quarterback as guys such as Aaron Rogers or Tom Brady.

Earlier this week, The Athletic's Sando unveiled his yearly QB tiers before the 2022-23 NFL season. Sando's list is unique, because it was created based on feedback from 50 NFL coaches and executives, including six general managers, eight head coaches, 10 evaluators, 12 coordinators, six quarterback coaches and seven execs. The final ballot was a joint effort between four members of a team's personnel department.

Read on for both tier one and tier two quarterbacks on the list. Tier one players are those who carry their team each week and are, in a way, responsible for their team winning, because they're the most crucial player. Tier two players also carry their team, but not as consistently as the quarterbacks who made tier one. Spoiler alert: Stafford did not make the first tier. I don't even recognize a few of the quarterback on the first tier list, but it's hard to deny that the first three are legends. Current Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff did not make either tier.

This list is via The Athletic's Sando. Find the full list here.