Rams Hit With Major Setback Ahead of Cowboys Joint Practice

Rams Hit With Major Setback Ahead of Cowboys Joint Practice originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Los Angeles Rams will soon trek north on Highway 101 for the much anticipated joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys. Both teams are known to raise the intensity levels in Oxnard when both meet up.

Except the Rams got hit with a major setback ahead of the Tuesday get together. One that'll disappoint Rams fans hoping to see Matthew Stafford sling it against a Micah Parsons-less defense.

The Super Bowl winning QB is confirmed out for Tuesday, per Rams insider Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. Stafford is still dealing with back soreness. Klein adds that Stafford's availability in the joint session with the Chargers later this month is still too be determined.

It's not the first time Stafford dealt with an ailment ahead of a Rams-Cowboys practice session.

Stafford had an elbow issue he worked through during camp. He managed to still participate in Oxnard. That session featured plenty of heated moments including some pushing and shoving.

Stafford then dealt with bad ribs during the '24 season. With Stafford in street clothes Tuesday, the Rams will roll with Jimmy Garoppolo leading the first team offense.

On the Cowboys' side, their top pass rusher Micah Parsons is enduring his own back issue. But his ailment isn't the only thing in the news out of Oxnard.

Parsons is demanding a trade, making his request on Friday. He's dealing with a contract extension dispute with the front office. Parsons isn't guaranteed to be running full speed on Tuesday either. Both teams will have two notable stars bowing out and allowing the reserves to perform at River Ridge.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 3, 2025, where it first appeared.