Concern is building around Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford after he revealed that a painful finger injury affected him during the team’s dramatic playoff win over the Carolina Panthers. While Stafford managed to finish the game at a high level, his own words suggest the situation may require closer evaluation in the days ahead.
The Rams escaped with a 34-31 victory on Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium, a result that keeps their postseason hopes alive. Yet the focus quickly shifted to Stafford’s health after the veteran quarterback appeared to injure his throwing hand late in the first half.
On a follow-through near halftime, Stafford’s right index finger was bent backward after colliding with Panthers defender D.J. Wonnum’s forearm. Television replays showed the moment clearly, and the 37-year-old immediately reacted with visible discomfort. He briefly dropped to the turf, repeatedly flexing his hand as trainers monitored him.
After the game, Stafford did not try to sugarcoat the moment
“I didn’t obviously know exactly what had happened,” he admitted. “It wasn’t pleasant. It wasn’t great. We’ll see what it is.”
Those comments have fueled speculation that further medical tests could be necessary. Although Stafford stayed in the game, the uncertainty surrounding a quarterback’s throwing hand is never taken lightly-especially in January.
Stafford, McVay offer cautious optimism moving forward
Despite the scare, Stafford showed toughness and poise that have defined much of his career. Just one play after the injury, he delivered a perfectly placed pass to star receiver Puka Nacua in the end zone. The throw would have been a touchdown if not for a rare drop by the rookie.
Rams head coach Sean McVay acknowledged the concern on the sideline but also pointed to that throw as a reassuring sign.
“You could see him shaking it,” McVay said. “But he delivered a pretty damn good throw on the next play that our guy will typically make that one.”
Stafford ultimately finished with 304 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception-numbers that underline how effective he remained even while dealing with discomfort. For a quarterback in the middle of a playoff run, that performance speaks volumes about his competitiveness and resilience.
Stafford himself sounded cautiously hopeful that the injury would not derail the Rams’ momentum.
“I was obviously able to finish the game and throw it decent,” he explained. “Once the ball’s snapped, the adrenaline is pretty good. So, we’ll hopefully just keep it going.”
Still, the Rams are expected to monitor his condition closely over the coming days. Any issue involving the throwing hand-no matter how minor it may initially appear-can impact grip strength, accuracy, and overall effectiveness. With the postseason intensifying, Los Angeles cannot afford uncertainty at the most important position on the field.
For now, Stafford’s toughness helped carry the Rams through a tense playoff battle. Whether his finger becomes a lingering storyline or a minor footnote will likely be determined by upcoming medical evaluations. Until then, Rams fans can take some comfort in one clear fact: even while “banged up,” their quarterback still found a way to deliver when it mattered most.
