LOS ANGELES -- As Sean McVay stood at the podium outside Loyola Marymount University to answer questions at the start of training camp, the Los Angeles Rams head coach told reporters that quarterback Matthew Stafford was dealing with back soreness and would miss the first week of practice.

The Rams wanted to be smart with Stafford's back even at the expense of some training camp reps, McVay said, because "ultimately, it's about having him feel as good as possible mentally, physically, [and] emotionally going into Year 17."

Now, six weeks later, Stafford and the Rams are hopeful they have gotten to that point -- even if the path was longer than initially thought -- as they prepare to host the Houston Texans to open the season Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS).

At age 37, Stafford is enter

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