Latest Matt Stafford Injury Update is Extremely Concerning

Matt Stafford is fourth in the MVP standings (+750) and the Rams are third in Super bowl odds (+700) over at WynnBET. But based on the latest injury update on the Rams quarterback, both of those are very much in jeopardy heading down the stretch of the season.

According to ESPN NFL reporter Dianna Russini, Stafford is dealing with both elbow and back issues currently and is "in a lot of pain." His play has fallen off a cliff the last few weeks and the Rams have been losing to some bad opponents. It may not be full panic time in LA, but the meter is going up.

Chronic and back are never words you want to see in the same sentence, not is elbow pain in your throwing arm, but it is par for the course for Stafford. Although he hasn't missed much time throughout his career, has has dealt with nagging injuries that tends to lead to a decline in his play.

The previous two seasons, Stafford missed time at the end of the year with the Lions due to injuries. Last year, he only three for over 300 yards and more than 1 TD once in the last seven games and the Lions went 1-6 in those games. Of course that's the Lions and he's now playing for the Rams, but even the year the Lions made the playoffs (2016) Stafford was mediocre down the stretch, throwing 2 TDs to 3 INTs as the Lions finished that season 0-4, including a 26-6 loss to the Seahawks in the playoffs.

This year we've seen a similar drop off, with Stafford passing for 2 TDs and 4 INTs in the Rams' last two games, losses to the Titans and 49ers. They were on a bye last week and face the Packers today in Lambeau, where they're -2.5 point favorites at WynnBET.

Why this injury news was leaked today is anyone's guess, but it isn't exactly heartening news to hear Stafford is dealing with this much pain in his throwing arm, especially given his history fading down the stretch dealing with similar injuries.