THOUSAND OAKS — One day after returning to practice for individual drills, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (hamstring) participated in 11-on-11 scrimmaging on Tuesday.
Stafford worked with the first offense for the first half of the team period. Like during individual drills on Monday, the veteran was able to roll out of the pocket. He looked sharp in his passing, including a sidearm throw into tight coverage to a crossing Demarcus Robinson.
Stafford, who left practice last Wednesday with hamstring tightness and was held out on Thursday, also took off and ran for a gain on one play, to head coach Sean McVay’s chagrin.
“He did his own number there,” McVay deadpanned. “That wasn’t the call, so it looked pretty good. It was good to have him back out there.”
It’s still to be determined whether Stafford participates in Thursday’s joint practice against the Texans in Houston as the Rams try to avoid any scrambling against an opposing pass rush. But Tuesday was part of the Rams’ progression plan to get the quarterback ready for the season opener against his former team, the Detroit Lions, in less than three weeks.
“He’s feeling good,” McVay said.
After a clean performance through the team’s first two preseason games, rookie Beaux Limmer worked with the first-team offense on Tuesday.
The Rams are still short three starting linemen. Left guard Jonah Jackson (shoulder) has returned to some individual drills and field work, while tackles Alaric Jackson (ankle) and Rob Havenstein (ankle) are still being held out.
This has led the Rams to do some cross training during practices, such as backup tackles Joe Noteboom and Warren McClendon Jr. switching sides of the line. On Tuesday, starting center Steve Avila was back practicing at his former position, left guard, while Limmer worked as the first-team center.
Limmer, a sixth-round pick out of Arkansas, has played 94 reps this preseason, all at center. He hasn’t allowed a pressure in 53 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, and has been solid in rushing situations, too.
“We put a lot on that center position. He has a great demeanor. He is really steady, conscientious,” McVay said Sunday. “He’s getting more and more confident with some of the communication that’s required. You look at it even in the practice settings where you guys are out there, but you don’t really see all the little things he’s doing. … I’ve been really pleased with Beaux. He’s taken steps in the right direction.”
