Quarterback Matthew Stafford is still not throwing and defensive tackle Aaron Donald was a no-show due to his contract situation when the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams began voluntary organized team activities on Monday.
Stafford received an anti-inflammatory shot in his right elbow shortly after the Super Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Stafford was unsure if he would throw later in the offseason, while Rams coach Sean McVay speculated Stafford wouldn’t throw until close to training camp.
“We’re taking it a day at a time right now, but the goal and the thought process was that he’ll start to ramp that up when we get closer to training camp,” McVay told reporters at OTAs. “He’s able to communicate with us in how he’s feeling. But the plan all along has been, ‘let’s really stress above-the-neck and things that we can control, but be smarter than anything else with him, especially with his experience and his ability to communicate with us.”
Donald, who turned 31 on Monday, is looking for a rich contract extension after reaching the Pro Bowl in all eight of his seasons, as well as being a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Donald has three seasons remaining on a six-year, $135 million deal. He is set to receive $37.25 million in base salary over the next three seasons.
McVay said that dialogue “has been good” when asked about negotiations with Donald. McVay said he called to wish Donald a happy birthday.
“He’s done a great job of communicating, with my relationship with him, and he gets a chance to spend time with his family right now, so I feel good about that,” McVay said.