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Many had already written off Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford coming into the 2023 season. After a disastrous 5-12 season a year ago in which Stafford only played eight games due to a neck injury, it appeared as though the Rams' strategy of trading away every pick they own for a Super Bowl was now coming back around to bite them.
The Georgia product looked like his old gunslinger self early on this season. He was second league-wide in passing yards through the first four weeks, only behind Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa. While Stafford helped support rookie Puka Nacua as a top-5 option during this time period, this didn't mean Stafford himself was producing for fantasy. More interceptions than touchdowns will doom any fantasy QB no matter how many yards they accrue.
Unfortunately, the former Detroit Lion suffered a UCL sprain in his right thumb, which caused him to miss the Week 9 game at Green Bay. Luckily for the Rams, their bye came at a timely moment (Week 10), so Stafford had some time to rehab the injury. Does that mean Stafford is returning? What is his fantasy football outlook when he returns? Let's dive in.
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Is Matthew Stafford Coming Back in Week 11?
It was reported that Stafford threw the ball during individual drills in Monday's practice and is expected to start Week 11 vs. the Seattle Seahawks.
This is phenomenal news for anyone with stock in the Rams' offense. Week 9 gave us a glimpse into what life is like without Stafford, and it's quite ugly. While Brett Rypien was swiftly cut after his atrocious performance against the Packers which led to the Rams signing veteran Carson Wentz off the street, without Stafford the entire offense is unplayable. Nacua and Cooper Kupp finished as the WRs 55 and 49 respectively that week. Darrell Henderson and Royce Freeman combined to produce 51 yards on 22 attempts. The Rams scored 3 points. You get the picture.
Matthew Stafford Injury Update and Fantasy Outlook
While Stafford will play in Week 11 barring a setback, he may not be 100%. Rams head coach Sean McVay said "He'll be pushing through" in regards to Stafford's injury, giving fantasy managers a bit of pause when deciding to roll out the vet in starting lineups.
The matchup is great on paper, with Seattle surrendering the 12th most points to opposing quarterbacks on the season. Pete Carroll's defense just let Sam Howell throw for 312 yards and three touchdowns on their home turf. Stafford also tore apart this secondary in Week 1 with 334 passing yards (although he did not throw a touchdown).
With some poor-quarterbacked teams on bye this coming week (Falcons, Colts, Patriots, Saints), Stafford is only a serious option in Superflex formats. However, his return heavily upgrades the prospects of star WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, who go back to being must-start options.
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