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Rams QB Stafford to test balky back again

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, left, talks with tight end Tyler Higbee during practice on July 26 in Los Angeles. (AP file photo)

CARSON, Calif. — Matthew Stafford will go through another lengthy workout Saturday to test his injured back before the Los Angeles Rams’ second preseason game.

Coach Sean McVay said the 37-year-old quarterback will do much the same workout he did last Saturday before the Rams beat the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium. Stafford made 68 throws of all lengths in that workout.

The Rams thought and hoped that Stafford would participate in individual drills in practice this week, but his back didn’t feel good enough to do it Monday, and he also didn’t participate in the team’s next two practices. Stafford apparently aggravated a disk in his back during the weeks between minicamp and training camp, and he has yet to practice at all since the Rams reconvened.

“He’s going to work out on Saturday, and hopefully it responds a little bit better,” McVay said.

The Rams host the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday.

McVay said Stafford’s back injury likely causes both pain and functional problems. The Rams had said before last week that the 17-year veteran could play if the Rams were in the regular season, but McVay has seemed less certain about that belief since last weekend’s setback.

McVay said earlier this week that the Rams haven’t discussed the possibility of surgery on Stafford’s disk.

Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett ran the Rams’ offense Thursday during a joint practice with the New Orleans Saints on the training fields surrounding the LA Galaxy’s home stadium in suburban Carson. The Saints stayed in the Los Angeles area after facing the Chargers in their preseason opener last weekend.

The Rams’ offense didn’t look particularly sharp, with Garoppolo and Bennett both making regrettable throws while Chase Young and the Saints’ pass rushers looked impressive against LA’s offensive line. The receivers also had several drops while facing a defense led by Brandon Staley, the Rams’ former defensive coordinator.

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