Stafford exits loss to Cowboys with thumb injury

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford exited Sunday's 43-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys due to a thumb injury.

Stafford hit his throwing hand on the helmet of a Cowboys defender toward the end of the first half. He returned for the start of the third quarter and caught a pass on a two-point try following a Royce Freeman rushing touchdown before exiting to the locker room.

Stafford, who was originally listed as questionable, came back to the sideline with a taped hand but didn't re-enter the game with the Rams down big to the Cowboys late in the second half. Brett Rypien stepped in for L.A. at quarterback.

The 35-year-old completed 13 of 22 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown against one interception before his injury.

Stafford entered Week 8 ranked fifth in passing yards (1,908), 17th in touchdown passes (seven), and seventh in interceptions thrown (six).

The former No. 1 pick has an extensive injury history. He struggled with an elbow ailment during the offseason prior to the 2022 campaign before missing eight games that year with a neck injury.

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