There’s something about seeing a quarterback walking around with a bag of ice strapped to his throwing elbow that gets people’s attention, especially when that quarterback is 38 and still carrying a big part of his team’s offensive workload.

That’s what happened with Matthew Stafford after the Los Angeles Rams beat the Chargers 24-9 on November 1. Naturally, people started wondering whether something was wrong with his throwing arm. Stafford wasn’t particularly concerned. In fact, he laughed off the questions, suggesting reporters had somehow missed the fact that he’s been icing his arm regularly.

Fair enough. But I think there’s more to this story than a quarterback joking about getting older.

Stafford Knows His Body Better Than Anyone

Stafford has never been shy about the physical demands of playing quarterback. He’s had his share of bumps and bruises over the years, and icing his throwing arm isn’t new. He also made a reasonable point about being 38 and trying to keep up with younger players. A little soreness at this stage of the season isn’t necessarily a warning sign.

What makes the situation interesting is the workload. Stafford had thrown 303 passes heading into Thursday, ranking third in the NFL, while his 2,146 passing yards put him second. That’s a lot of work for any quarterback, let alone one who’s taken NFL hits for this many seasons. And he’s still producing.

Against the Chargers, Stafford completed 17 of 25 passes for 157 yards, a touchdown and an interception. It wasn’t a spectacular statistical night, but the Rams got the win, and he said he hadn’t missed a practice or game rep.

The Rams Need More Than Reassuring Words

Here’s where things get interesting for Los Angeles. Stafford says he feels good and expects to play against Washington. There’s no reason to assume otherwise based on an ice bag alone. But the Rams have to be thinking about the bigger picture.

Their bye doesn’t arrive until after the November 15 game against Arizona. That’s two more weeks of football before Stafford can step away and give his body a proper break. At this point in his career, keeping Stafford healthy may matter as much as getting the most out of him every Sunday.

The Rams don’t need to panic every time he puts ice on his arm. They do need to pay attention to what his body is telling them. Stafford has earned the right to manage his own aches and pains. He’s also important enough to this team’s hopes that nobody in Los Angeles wants to take unnecessary chances.

For now, Stafford is laughing, practicing and preparing to play. Rams fans will happily take all three. But they’ll probably keep an eye on that throwing arm, too.

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