sofi stadium

Sitting in a chair on Thursday night as fans came into SoFi Stadium to watch high school football games between Loyola and Gardena Serra and Leuzinger against Palos Verdes, you can hear the different reactions of first-time visitors as they climbed escalators and stairs to reach their seats.

Many were in awe.

“This is nice.”

“Wow. This stadium is so different.”

“I can’t believe I paid $80 for a high school game.”

The games have been put together by Playbook Events. Teams have to give up revenue they would make from hosting their own games. Parking costs $10 while student and adult tickets range from $29 to $71. Usual student tickets are $10 at home sites.

It’s clear players enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience to play in a prestigious NFL stadium that will host the swimming competition at the 2028 Olympic Games. And first-time visitors who’ve never been able attend a concert or NFL game at SoFi because of cost are truly impressed with the seating and experience.

But there’s also some issues that could enhance the experience. One fan suggested better directions on where to park and how to pay for parking, since only credit cards are accepted, and lots of grandparents are not tech savvy on how to purchase tickets online or which entrance to take to find the parking lot. Schools need to provide more specific instructions. Organizers are also requiring fans to sign a waiver when entering, leading to long lines if you don’t arrive early.

The cost for fans can be prohibitive, which means schools need to take that into account when agreeing to play a game at SoFi. The organizers certainly know what they are doing. Games start on time and security is plentiful and helpful for first-time visitors.

Loyola athletic director Chris O’Donnell said, “For this kind of experience, for both teams, it’s really great. I’d do this again in a second.”

The next big game at SoFi Stadium happens Thursday at 5 p.m. when unbeaten Los Alamitos plays Huntington Beach Edison.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email [email protected].

With back-to-back wins over Palos Verdes and Inglewood, Leuzinger High’s football team has vaulted to the top of the Bay League hierarchy.

On Thursday night, despite losing quarterback Russell Sekona to a fractured hand in the second quarter, Leuzinger (5-0, 2-0) relied on its defense and the play of running back-turned-quarterback Journee Tonga to come away with a 40-14 victory over Palos Verdes at SoFi Stadium.

Tonga contributed touchdown runs of 14 and 21 yards on option plays. Then Leuzinger’s speed back, Kelton Strickland, ran 84 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter. And Tonga added a 61-yard touchdown pass. All this came with Palos Verdes (4-3, 1-1) thinking the 5-foot-8 Tonga wasn’t going to be much of passing threat. Aided by his offensive line, Tonga found holes in the Sea Kings’ defense.

The Olympians’ defense frustrated Palos Verdes quarterback Ryan Rakowski, who was ejected with 11:41 left after getting into a squabble with Leuzinger linebacker Samu Moala. The game was delayed as the officials talked to both coaches trying to determine ejections. Moala was ejected along with two teammates.

“High emotion,” Moala said. “Lesson learned.”

Those ejected can be sidelined for one to three games depending on the officials’ report.

Rakowski had 12 yards passing at halftime and finished with 87 yards.

Palos Verdes made a brief rally in the fourth quarter, recovering an onside kick, recovering another fumble and closing to 27-14 on two touchdown passes by senior quarterback Giorgio Di Mascio. But Pakipole Moala clinched Leuzinger’s victory with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown. Then Tonga added his third rushing touchdown of the night.

If Loyola football coach Drew Casani could give out game balls after his team’s 13-10 Mission League win over Gardena Serra at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night, he’d need to go to a sporting goods store to find enough to hand out. There were so many contributors.

There was kicker/punter Jacob Kreinbring making field goals from 44 and 35 yards despite narrower NFL goal posts. He also had a punt downed at the one-yard line.

There was linebacker Kane Casani, who blocked a field goal that led to a long touchdown return by sophomore Malique Pollard.

There was linebacker Holden Smyser and defensive linemen Max Meier and Will Mack, all of whom helped the defense stop Serra three out of four times on fourth downs in the fourth quarter.

Remember that Loyola (4-3, 1-1) lost a group of players who abandoned the program in the offseason, leaving behind players who drew skepticism whether they would be competitive against top teams.

It’s that Loyola tradition of playing as a group that allowed the Cubs to beat a Serra team that continues to struggle on offense. Serra (3-4, 0-2) fell behind 10-0, then tied the game on a DeVohn Moutra Jr. safety, followed by a touchdown run and two-point conversion from sophomore quarterback Malik Tunai.

“Man, this feels great,” said Kane Casani, who’s the son of the head coach. “A lot of people doubted us. We came together as a brotherhood.”

Loyola broke the tie with 4:14 left in the third quarter on Kreinbring’s 35-yard field goal.

One of two trained hawks stolen from outside SoFi Stadium during a Rams game was recovered Sunday in Hacienda Heights, nearly 25 miles from where the vehicle taken during the heist was found a week ago.

A two-seat motorized cart with a key left in the ignition was stolen Sept. 28 from the stadium. The hawks — named Bubba and Alice — were housed in green containers in the back seat and vanished along with the vehicle.

Bubba was recovered near Seventh Street in Hacienda Heights after a homeowner spotted the hawk in her backyard and contacted the Inglewood Police Department. Falconer Charles Cogger, who trained and owned the hawks, raced to the location.

“I made arrangements, got over there as quick as I could and got Bubba back,” Cogger told NBC Los Angeles. “Alice is still out there, but this gives me hope she will show up.”

The hawks were employed by SoFi Stadium to deter other birds from flying over SoFi Stadium during the game, keeping fans safe from unpleasant aerial droppings and also keeping birds from eating discarded food.

The Harris’s hawks, also known as bay-winged hawks, are large, lanky raptors that breed in the southwestern U.S. and throughout South America. They have vision eight times better than that of humans and are known for hunting together as a team.

The Kawasaki Mule UTV that housed the hawks was found abandoned Sept. 29 in a South L.A. neighborhood about five miles from SoFi Stadium and 25 miles from Hacienda Heights.

Inglewood police released a photo of the suspect taken by stadium security cameras, describing him as a male adult “wearing a black jacket with a white stripe going down the shoulder, black pants and black shoes.”

Cogger is holding out hope that Alice will turn up. Each of Cogger’s hawks wears a metal band around its leg that identifies it as captive-bred.

“They can only go so long without eating or getting water,” he said.

Anyone with information about Alice can contact the Inglewood Police Department watch commander at (310) 412-5206. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for the hawk’s safe return.

The script is familiar.

Fourth quarter or overtime. Rams trail or are tied. On comes Matthew Stafford.

The veteran quarterback is the master of comebacks.

And he appeared to be on the verge of doing it again on Thursday night against the rival San Francisco 49ers.

But the 49ers stopped running back Kyren Williams on a fourth-and-one play at the 49ers’ 11-yard line, sending the Rams to a 26-23 overtime defeat before 73,652 at SoFi Stadium.

After the game, Rams coach Sean McVay blamed himself for the failed fourth-down run, saying “it was a bad call by me.”

Stafford tossed two touchdown passes to Williams and another to Puka Nacua, but on a night when the Rams’ kicking woes continued, it was not enough to beat an injury-riddled opponent as the Rams fell to 3-2 and wasted an opportunity to take over first place in the NFC West.

Rams kicker Joshua Karty, who last year beat the 49ers with a winning field goal at SoFi Stadium, missed a long field-goal attempt and had an extra-point attempt blocked, the second time that has happened this season. His kickoff in overtime did not reach the landing zone, giving the 49ers the ball at the 40-yard line.

The 49ers improved to 4-1, with victories over the Rams, Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West.

McVay this week good-naturedly blamed his late grandfather John McVay for creating so many 49ers fans by helping assemble 49ers teams that won five Super Bowls.

And McVay and 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, his former mentor, have squared off for some classic matchups, including the NFC championship game at SoFi Stadium in January 2022.

But these were not the same 49ers — at least on paper.

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins (95) celebrates with teammates after forcing Rams running back Kyren Williams to fumble at the goal line late in the fourth quarter Thursday.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

With quarterback Brock Purdy receiving a massive extension before the season, the 49ers let go of numerous high-profile stars that helped them make two Super Bowl appearances in the last six years.

Even quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is with the Rams.

Journeyman Mac Jones started in place of Purdy, who is nursing a toe injury. Tight end George Kittle, receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings and star defensive end Nick Bosa also did not play.

But the 49ers still prevailed.

Mac Jones completed 33 of 49 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns.

Rams linebacker Jared Verse celebrates after making a tackle in the third quarter against the 49ers on Thursday.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Christian McCaffrey caught eight passes for 82 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 57 yards in 22 carries.

The score was tied 23-23 at the end of regulation after the Rams blew a chance to win when Williams fumbled at the 49ers’ one-yard line — but then tied the score on Karty’s 48-yard field goal with two seconds left.

Piniero’s 41-yard field goal gave the 49ers the lead.

The Rams then drove from their 33 to the 49ers’ 11, where their hopes for a victory ended.

Any Rams fans whose attention was diverted Sunday at SoFi Stadium by an aerial assault of bird droppings should know whom to blame.

Not the birds. They were just doing what they do (do).

Blame the thief who stole two trained hawks tasked with keeping the skies above the stadium free of other birds, so that the only airborne objects would be tight spirals off the right hand of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.

But the hawks — who have names: Alice and Bubba — were stolen at 2:22 p.m. by a suspect the Inglewood Police Department described as a “male Black adult wearing a black jacket with a white stripe going down the shoulder, black pants and black shoes.”

Police said the key was left in the ignition of the Kawasaki Mule UTV that housed the hawks. The thief drove off with the maroon two-seater and hadn’t been caught as of Tuesday morning. The vehicle was last seen in the Village at Century shopping area in Inglewood.

“Affixed to the bed of the UTV were two Harris’s Hawks … housed in green containers,” the police said. “These Hawks are used during the games by a Falconer in order to deter other birds in the area.”

The falconer is Redlands police officer Charles Cogger. The trained birds are Harris’s hawks, also known as the bay-winged hawk, large and lanky raptors that breed from the southwestern United States and throughout South America. They are known for hunting together as a team with vision eight times better than that of humans.

It’s a shame Alice and Bubba weren’t there to see the gorgeous 88-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Tutu Atwell in the fourth quarter that gave the Rams a 27-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Sean McVay good naturedly put it on his late grandfather.

As a team executive, John McVay helped the San Francisco 49ers win five Super Bowl titles, excellence that created 49ers fans everywhere.

So when the Rams play the 49ers on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium, McVay fully expects the usual massive contingent of 49ers fans.

“They obviously have a great fan base,” Sean McVay said Monday during a videoconference with reporters before deadpanning. “I blame my grandpa for that.”

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Gary Klein breaks down what went right for the Rams in their stunning comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

McVay could also blame former team ownership, which moved the Rams from Los Angeles to St. Louis after the 1994 season. That left Southern California without the Rams for more than two decades before they returned in 2016.

The departure to St. Louis created untold numbers of Southern California NFL fans who embraced the 49ers, the Los Angeles/Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers among other teams.

McVay, however, said he was “hopeful and optimistic” that the Rams on Thursday will feel the same vibes they got in their season-opening victory over the Houston Texans and on Sunday in their 27-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

“I’ve loved the home atmospheres we’ve had this year,” McVay said, adding, “I certainly felt our crowd. I thought it was an advantage and an edge to us. And I’m looking forward to seeing as many Rams fans come out and support us.”

The Rams’ victory over the Colts improved their record to 3-1 heading into the NFC West opener against the 49ers (3-1), who are coming off a 26-21 defeat by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The 49ers are in first place in the division, with victories over the Seattle Seahawks (3-1) and the Arizona Cardinals (2-2).

“We got the benefit of them coming to our house,” defensive lineman Braden Fiske said. “We feel good about it. It’s going to be a battle for the division.”

The 49ers started 3-0 despite the absence at times of key players such as quarterback Brock Purdy, star tight end George Kittle and star defensive end Nick Bosa among others.

Purdy, who signed a $182.5-million extension before the season, is dealing with a toe issue and his status for Thursday night’s game will be determined. Kittle remains on injured reserve for at least one more game and Bosa is out for the season.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carries the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 28.

(Godofredo A. Vásquez / Associated Press)

But the 49ers still have running back Christian McCaffrey and linebacker Fred Warner leading the way for coach Kyle Shanahan’s team.

Last season, the Rams defeated the 49ers at SoFi Stadium, 27-24, on a last-second field goal by Joshua Karty.

After the victory over the Colts, Rams edge rusher Jared Verse noted fans’ spirited reaction when the 49ers-Jaguars score flashed on the video screen, with the 49ers trailing.

“That’s just what it means,” Verse said of playing against the 49ers. “It means a little bit more.”

Etc.

The Rams suffered no obvious significant injuries against the Colts, McVay said, but added that players would be evaluated. … McVay said he was “not sure” whether offensive lineman Steve Avila (ankle) would be ready to play Thursday. Avila has been sidelined for three games. Justin Dedich has started in Avila’s place at left guard.

The NFL always provides surprises.

Who could have predicted the Rams would lose to the defending Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles when the Eagles blocked a potential winning field-goal attempt on the final play and returned it for a touchdown?

Now the Rams face something else completely unexpected: The unbeaten Indianapolis Colts.

When the schedule was announced last spring, the Colts looked like a relatively easy matchup for the Rams sandwiched between games against the Eagles and a Thursday night game against the NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers.

But energized by quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Jonathan Taylor, the Colts will arrive at SoFi Stadium with one of the NFL’s top offenses and an unblemished record after victories over the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans.

Jones, 28, has been the biggest surprise.

After six seasons with the New York Giants and a short stint late last season with the Minnesota Vikings, Jones has been outstanding for the Colts.

He has passed for three touchdowns, with no interceptions, and has rushed for three touchdowns.

“Going from the Giants, where he did well for certain years and then kind of fell off and then came back,” Rams safety Quentin Lake said. “You’re looking at a quarterback that has nothing to lose because people already wrote him off.”

The Colts also rank seventh in total defense.

The Rams welcome the opportunity to play another tough opponent after the stunning loss to the Eagles.

“When you go from tough challenge to tough challenge, from the Eagles to a team that is red-hot… you can still keep your intensity rather than going into a game where it’s like a team coming in 0-3 or 1-2,” Lake said.

Three weeks into the NFL season and already the Chargers have planted a flag atop the AFC West — and a Mt. Rushmore collection of coaches.

They dispatched of the Denver Broncos on Sunday, after beating the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders in the previous two weeks.

If you’re keeping a scorecard, those are wins over Andy Reid, Pete Carroll and now Sean Payton, all Super Bowl winners, in a historic start for Jim Harbaugh, who is quick to remind people not to “put me on that dance floor” because he has yet to win a ring.

But Sunday’s 23-20 triumph might have been the most impressive considering the Chargers were flat as day-old soda for a considerable stretch yet still found a way to come back and win.

“It’s a signature win,” said Harbaugh, whose 3-0 start matches the club’s best since 2002.

His team’s first home game of the season, when the SoFi Stadium stands were mostly orange, had the Chargers taking a 10-0 lead before surrendering 17 unanswered points that left them chasing the entire second half.

The game-tying touchdown was a beauty, a sidearmed, cross-body, 20-yard sling by Justin Herbert to ageless receiver Keenan Allen, who was blanketed in the end zone yet still came up with the catch.

“I was lower than he was,” Allen said of cornerback Riley Moss. “I put my hands out there and the ball just kind of stuck.”

Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, right, celebrates with tight end Oronde Gadsden II after catching a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter Sunday.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Everyone in the stadium watched in amazement. Everyone, that is, but Herbert. He was on the ground, so he didn’t see the touchdown but heard it.

“I’m sure it was an incredible catch by Keenan,” said the quarterback, who planned to watch the replays when he got home Sunday evening. “The defender wasn’t looking. That’s advantage Keenan.”

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Sam Farmer breaks down what has gone right for the Chargers over the course of their 3-0 start to the season.

That play locked the score at 20-20, but it was the ultra-accurate Cameron Dicker who broke that tie a couple minutes later with a 43-yard field goal as the clock expired. It was the eighth winning kick of his career and extinguished a remarkable effort by the Broncos, who sacked Herbert five times and pulled off the most creative touchdown in Payton’s two-season tenure with the team.

The play in question came with 46 seconds left in the first half with Denver trailing, 10-0, and facing a fourth-and-two at their 48.

Denver gave every indication it planned to run, and the Chargers called timeout to prepare their defense. When the Broncos emerged from the timeout, they loaded up the right side of their line with both starting tackles and a tight end between them. The ball was definitely going to that side.

Quarterback Bo Nix rolled right then surprised everyone by throwing left to a wide-open Courtland Sutton who essentially was ignored by defenders and raced untouched 52 yards for a score. It was the longest Broncos touchdown pass on fourth down since 1978 and a testament to the play-drawing artistry of Payton.

“He’s a master at scheming it up,” said Chargers safety Tony Jefferson, in his 11th season. “Ever since I got into the league, I’ve played the Saints so much [Payton’s former team] and you’ve always got to be on your P’s and Q’s with them.”

The Chargers had to watch their P’s and Q’s, and their old J.K. — running back J.K. Dobbins, who played for them last season and Sunday made them pay. He caught a screen pass for the Broncos at the beginning of the second half and turned it upfield for a 19-yard touchdown. He dashed down the sideline as if sprinting on a tightrope before diving across the goal line to give Denver its first lead of the day.

Cameron Dicker kicks the winning field goal as time expires in the Chargers’ 23-20 win over the Broncos on Sunday.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Payton lamented his team’s slow start and the 10 penalties, compared to three for the Chargers.

“Tomorrow’s an important day,” he told reporters afterward. “Tomorrow’s more important than the game we just played. Because we’re in this accelerated … we’ve got to get better fast. And if we do, I think this will be all right.”

Whereas Dobbins led all rushers with 83 yards, the Chargers are still looking to get their ground attack rolling. That just got a lot tougher as the team lost veteran running back Najee Harris to an ankle injury in the second quarter. He had to be helped off the field, and the replays were cover-your-eyes cringeworthy, although the severity of his injury was not disclosed.

That piles even more of the running burden onto the shoulders of rookie first-round pick Omarion Hampton, who ran for 70 yards in 19 carries including his first NFL touchdown, from three yards out.

The Chargers, who had to reshuffle their offensive line with the loss of left tackle Rashawn Slater before the season, had to do so again Sunday when right guard Mekhi Becton sustained a concussion.

Those are the realities of the game, though, just as the Chargers already had to adjust to losing edge rusher Khalil Mack (shoulder) as well as defensive backs Elijah Molden (hamstring) and Cam Hart (hip).

Chargers linebacker Troy Dye (43) tackles Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin in the third quarter Sunday.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

“That’s the unfortunate part of the NFL,” Herbert said. “You’re going to have to deal with adversity.”

Against the Broncos, the Chargers dealt with it and wound up on top. That makes this victory particularly impactful, a touchstone that Harbaugh and others can point to in future high-pressure situations.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if this does a lot for morale, and that was already high,” said Harbaugh, adding his team has “gravel in our gut.”

With that in mind, they have sent an unambiguous message to their three division foes: kick rocks.

A couple of former University of Oregon quarterbacks square off Sunday in a pivotal AFC West matchup. It’s Justin Herbert of the Chargers and Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos, both backed by talented defenses.

The Chargers are making their season debut at SoFi Stadium, and they already have two big pelts to hang on the wall. They’ve beaten Kansas City and Las Vegas, and against Denver are looking to sweep their first half of AFC West games. Last season, in the debut of Jim Harbaugh and Sean Payton with their respective teams, the Chargers swept the Broncos.

“Obviously, his success speaks for itself both at the NFL level and college level,” Payton told reporters this week of Harbaugh. “I was excited that he got a job in our league, but not so much in our division.”

How the Chargers can win: Get another strong performance from Herbert. Spread the ball around to exploit soft spots in Denver’s secondary. Put the clamps on a Broncos ground game and in particular former Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins. So far, the Chargers rank eighth in run defense.

How the Broncos can win: Win on early downs so they can avoid third-and-five (or longer) situations. Establish the run to set up the play-action passing game. Finish stronger — Denver has tended to fade late in games. Make the Chargers one-dimensional; they’ve had a hard time establishing the run.

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK 1

(Games at 7 p.m. unless noted)

THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE

CITY SECTION

Nonleague

Arleta at Cleveland

Bell at Marquez, 7:30 p.m.

Belmont at West Adams, 4 p.m.

Bernstein at Locke

Canoga Park at Hollywood

Chatsworth at Franklin

Chavez at San Fernando

Dorsey at Carson, 7:30 p.m.

Fremont at LA University

Gardena at South East, 4 p.m.

Granada Hills at Venice

Granada Hills Kennedy at San Pedro, 7:30 p.m.

Grant at Los Angeles, 4 p.m.

Huntington Park at Wilmington Banning

Legacy at Maywood CES

Lincoln at Legacy

LA Marshall at Sylmar

Maywood CES at Mendez

Monroe at Taft

Panorama at Manual Arts

Rancho Dominguez at Contreras, 4 p.m.

Reseda at Hawkins, 7:30 p.m.

Santee at Rivera

Sotomayor at Van Nuys

Torres at Jefferson

Washington at Westchester, 7:30 p.m.

SOUTHERN SECTION

Nonleague

Artesia at Maranatha

Calabasas at Castaic

Cantwell-Sacred Heart at Montebello

Cathedral at Beaumont, 7:30 p.m.

Charter Oak vs. Upland at SoFi Stadium, 5 p.m.

Citrus Hill at Miller, 7:30 p.m.

Compton Centennial at Compton

Corona at Bloomington, 7:30 p.m.

Corona Centennial at Santa Margarita

Covina at Baldwin Park

Garey at Pomona

Great Oak at Rancho Verde, 7:30 p.m.

Hillcrest at Corona Santiago, 7:30 p.m.

La Sierra at West Valley

Liberty at Sultana, 7:30 p.m.

Los Osos at Alta Loma

Mountain View at Workman

Norwalk at Santa Fe

Ontario at San Gorgonio, 7:30 p.m.

Pioneer at Loara, 6:30 p.m.

Rancho Alamitos at Garden Grove Santiago

Redlands at Banning

Saddleback at South El Monte

San Juan Hills at Eastvale Roosevelt

San Marino at La Salle

Santa Ana at Placentia Valencia

Serrano at Barstow, 7:30 p.m.

St. Genevieve at Antelope Valley

Troy at La Mirada

Vista del Lago at Valley View, 7:30 p.m.

West Covina at Los Altos

Westminster at Buena Park

Yorba Linda vs. Edison at Huntington Beach

INTERSECTIONAL

Bakersfield at Garfield

Bosco Tech at LA Wilson

Crenshaw at Long Beach Jordan

Culver City at King-Drew

Gardena Serra at LA Hamilton

Jackson Hole (WY) at Linfield Christian, 7:30 p.m.

Lawndale at LA Roosevelt

Long Beach Cabrillo at LA Jordan

Los Alamitos at Narbonne

Lynwood at South Gate

Monrovia at Eagle Rock

Palisades at Harvard-Westlake

Paramount at Fairfax

Vasquez at Roybal

8-MAN

CITY

New Designs University Park at Sherman Oaks CES

INTERSECTIONAL

Public Safety Academy at East Valley

Milken at Valley Oaks CES

FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE

SOUTHERN SECTION

Adelanto at Ridgecrest Burroughs

Anaheim Canyon vs. Ayala at SoFi Stadium, 5 p.m.

Apple Valley at Highland

Aquinas at Glendora

Arlington at Ramona

Arroyo at South Torrance

Arroyo Grande at Newbury Park

Arroyo Valley at Nuview Bridge

Azusa at Ganesha

Bell Gardens at El Rancho

Bermuda Dunes Desert Christian at Riverside Prep

Bishop Diego vs. West Ranch at Valencia

Bishop Montgomery vs. Mater Dei at Santa Ana Bowl

Bolsa Grande at Ocean View

Brea Olinda at Cypress

Brentwood at Hueneme

Burbank Burroughs vs. Hart at College of the Canyons

California at Sunny Hills

Canyon Country Canyon at Buena

Carter at Don Lugo

Cerritos at Gahr

Chaffey at Fillmore

Chino vs. Summit at Miller, 7:30 p.m.

Claremont at Diamond Bar

Compton Centennial at Compton

Corona del Mar at Santa Barbara

Crescenta Valley at Knight

Damien at JSerra

Del Sol at Viewpoint

Diamond Ranch at Bonita

Downey at Orange Vista

Duarte at Glendale

Eastside at Mary Star

Eisenhower at Colton

El Modena at Dana Hills

El Monte at Alhambra

El Toro at Aliso Niguel

Esperanza at Fountain Valley

Estancia at Costa Mesa

Etiwanda at Citrus Valley

Gabrielino at Whittier

Garden Grove Pacifica vs. Garden Grove at SoFi Stadium, 8:30 p.m.

Godinez at Westminster La Quinta

Golden Valley at Crespi

Grace at Arrowhead Christian

Granite Hills at Patriot

Hacienda Heights Wilson at Rowland

Hawthorne at Firebaugh

Hemet at Salesian

Hesperia at Jurupa Hills

Huntington Beach at Trabuco Hills

Indio at Fullerton

Irvine at Portola

Jurupa Valley at Fontana

Kaiser at Heritage

King at San Jacinto

La Canada at Santa Paula

La Habra at Northview

La Palma Kennedy at Woodbridge

La Quinta at Yucca Valley

La Serna at Schurr

La Sierra at West Valley

Laguna Hills at Orange

Lakeside at Tahquitz

Lancaster at Newport Harbor

Littlerock at St. Bernard

Long Beach Wilson at Marina

Los Amigos at Silver Valley

Loyola at Millikan

Magnolia at Compton Early College

Mira Costa at St. Francis

Mission Viejo at St. Paul

Montclair at Walnut

Murrieta Mesa at Vista Murrieta

Murrieta Valley at Servite

Norco at Colony

Northwood at Sonora

Oak Hills at Bishop Amat

Palm Springs at Grand Terrace

Palmdale at Leuzinger

Paloma Valley at Moreno Valley

Paraclete at San Marcos

Pasadena Marshall at Dominguez

Quartz Hill at Rio Hondo Prep

Rancho Christian at Norte Vista

Rancho Cucamonga at Orange Lutheran

Rancho Mirage at Coachella Valley

Redlands East Valley at Perris

Redondo at El Dorado

Rim of the World at Big Bear

Rio Mesa at Camarillo

Riverside North at Riverside Poly

Rosemead at San Gabriel

Rubidoux at Pacific

San Bernardino at Cathedral City

San Dimas at Pasadena

San Jacinto Valley Academy at Desert Mirage

Santa Ana Calvary Chapel at Cerritos Valley Christian

Santa Clara at Century

Santa Monica at Laguna Beach

Santa Rosa Academy at California Military Institute

Saugus at Oak Park

Savanna at Glenn

Segerstrom at Santa Ana Valley

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame at Alemany

Sierra Canyon at Oaks Christian

Sierra Vista at Keppel

Silverado at Yucaipa

South Hills at Ontario Christian

South Pasadena at Arcadia

St. Anthony at Lakewood

St. Monica at Peninsula, 4:30 p.m.

St. Pius X-St. Matthias at Crean Lutheran

Temecula Prep at Rialto

Temecula Valley at Elsinore

Temescal Canyon at El Segundo

Temple City at La Puente

Torrance at West Torrance

Trinity Classical at Nordhoff

Tustin at Foothill

Upland at Charter Oak

Valencia at Chaminade

Ventura at Thousand Oaks

Villa Park at Western

Western Christian at Riverside Notre Dame

Westlake at Agoura

Xavier Prep at Desert Hot Springs

INTERSECTIONAL

‘Aiea (HI) at Palos Verdes, 3 p.m.

Angelou at Hoover, 5:30 p.m.

Anza Hamilton at El Cajon Foothills Christian

Beckman at Chula Vista Eastlake

Beverly Hills at Washington

Gilbert (AZ) Campo Verde at Capistrano Valley

Canyon Springs at Fallbrook

El Camino Real at Heritage Christian

El Paso (TX) Eastwood at St. John Bosco

Fresno Bullard at Mayfair

Long Beach Poly at San Diego Lincoln

Mesa (AZ) Westwood at Burbank

Moorpark at Bakersfield Centennial

Nogales at Henderson (NV) Lake Mead Academy

North Hollywood at Village Christian

Oceanside El Camino at Chino Hills

Palm Desert at El Centro Central

Riverton (UT) at San Clemente

Scripps Ranch at Warren

Shadow Hills at Palo Verde Valley

Simi Valley at Las Vegas Shadow Ridge

St. Bonaventure at Birmingham

Tesoro at North County San Marcos, 7:15 p.m.

Victor Valley at North Las Vegas (NV) Legacy

8-MAN

SOUTHERN SECTION

Faith Baptist at Chadwick, 3:30 p.m.

Highland Entrepreneur at PAL Charter, 3 p.m.

Malibu at Coast Union, 6 p.m.

Lucerne Valley at Southlands Christian

Noli Indian at Calvary Baptist

INTERSECTIONAL

CSDR at Animo Jackie Robinson

Desert Christian at Laton

Frazier Mountain at Lancaster Baptist, 7:30 p.m.

Maricopa at Alpaugh

New Designs Watts at Valley Oaks Charter

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE

SOUTHERN SECTION

Irvine University at Capistrano Valley Christian, 1 p.m.

Whittier Christian at Webb, 1 p.m.

8-MAN

SOUTHERN SECTION

Avalon at Santa Clarita Christian, 12:30 p.m.

California Lutheran at Hesperia Christian, 6 p.m.

Santa Ana Magnolia Science at Downey Calvary Chapel, 6 p.m.

Santa Maria Valley Christian at Cate, 1:30 p.m.

Vista Meridian at Lighthouse Christian

INTERSECTIONAL

Academy for Careers & Exploration at Lone Pine, 5 p.m.

Cuyama Valley at Bakersfield Legacy Christian Academy

Monterey Trinity Christian at San Luis Obispo Classical Academy, 2 p.m.

Orcutt Academy at Laguna Blanca, 1 p.m.

Sage Hill at Fresno Christian, 8:30 p.m.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is back.

But to what degree remains to be seen.

Stafford, who has been sidelined since the start of training camp because of a back issue, practiced Monday for the first time.

Matthew Stafford stretches during practice at the Rams’ facility in Woodland Hills on Monday.

(Gary Klein / Los Angeles Times)

Stafford, 37, went through individual and team drills with the first-team offense. The 17th-year pro was a full participant in practice, but did not speak to reporters afterward.

“It was good to be able to have Matthew out there,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “There are no updates. We’re going to take it a day, a week at a time. “

On Aug. 9. Stafford went through an individual workout that included throwing more than 60 passes. But he was unable to practice two days later as scheduled.

The Rams open the season on Sept. 7 against the Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium.

WEEK 0 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

(Games at 7 p.m. unless noted)

THURSDAY

CITY SECTION

Nonleague

North Hollywood at Granada Hills

SOUTHERN SECTION

Nonleague

Aliso Niguel at Beckman

Arrowhead Christian at Yucca Valley

Ayala at Summit, 7:30 p.m.

Bloomington at Perris, 7:30 p.m.

Bosco Tech at Rosemead

Century at Gabrielino

Citrus Hill at Redlands, 7:30 p.m.

Desert Hot Springs at Rubidoux, 7:30 p.m.

Eisenhower at Moreno Valley, 7:30 p.m.

El Cajon Christian at Rancho Mirage

El Segundo at South Pasadena

Estancia at West Covina, 5:30 p.m.

Foothill at Anaheim

Fontana at San Bernardino, 7:30 p.m.

Fullerton at Anaheim

Glendora at Chino Hills

Glenn at Mountain View

Hawthorne vs. Lawndale at SoFi Stadium, 8:30 p.m.

Heritage at Elsinore, 7:30 p.m.

Huntington Beach at Orange

Laguna Beach at Chino

La Puente at Covina

Mayfair vs. Yorba Linda at SoFi Stadium, 5 p.m.

Newport Harbor at Murrieta Mesa

Ocean View at Fountain Valley

Orange Vista at Apple Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Ramona at Riverside

Riverside Prep at Big Bear

Salesian at Western

San Jacinto at Beaumont, 7:30 p.m.

Santa Ana Foothill at Marina

Savanna at Bolsa Grande

Tahquitz at Hemet

Temple City at Whittier

Vista Murrieta at Great Oak, 7:30 p.m.

Warner at Public Safety Academy, 6 p.m.

Whittier Christian at San Gabriel

INTERSECTIONAL

Narbonne at Los Osos

8-MAN

SOUTHERN SECTION

Santa Clarita Christian at Cornerstone Christian, 6 p.m.

INTERSECTIONAL

Milken at East Valley

FRIDAY

CITY SECTION

Nonleague

Arleta at Westchester

Banning at South East

Chatsworth at Monroe

Contreras at Rivera, 4 p.m.

Eagle Rock at Kennedy

Fairfax at Crenshaw

Fulton at Canoga Park

Hawkins at Bernstein, 7:30 p.m.

Jefferson at Reseda

King/Drew at Jordan, 7:30 p.m.

Manual Arts at Locke

Maywood CES at Legacy

Panorama at Chavez

Santee at Poly

University at Lincoln, 7:30 p.m.

Verdugo Hills at Marquez

Wilson at Grant

SOUTHERN SECTION

Nonleague

Alemany at Calabasas

Arcadia at El Monte, 6:30 p.m.

Arlington at St. Margaret’s

Barstow at Capistrano Valley

Beverly Hills at Vasquez

Bishop Diego at Lancaster

Bonita at Muir

Bosco Tech at Rosemead

Brentwood at Monrovia

Buena vs. Saugus at College of the Canyons

Burbank at San Dimas

Cajon at Norco

California Military Institute at Redlands East Valley

Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary at Pasadena

Capistrano Valley Christian at Claremont

Castaic at Adelanto

Cathedral at Loyola

Chaminade at Oaks Christian

Chaparral at San Juan Hills

Charter Oak at Canyon Country Canyon

Colony at Ontario Christian

Colton at Jurupa Valley

Compton Centennial at Compton Early College

Corona Santiago at Yucaipa

Cypress at Cerritos

Damien at Aquinas

Del Sol at San Marcos

Desert Chapel at Desert Mirage

Don Lugo at Buena Park

Downey at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame

Duarte at Azusa

El Modena at Troy

El Rancho vs. South Hills at SoFi Stadium, 8:30 p.m.

Fillmore at Royal

Firebaugh at Santa Clara

Gahr at Valley Christian

Ganesha at Diamond Ranch

Gardena Serra vs. Palos Verdes at El Camino College

Garden Grove at Los Amigos

Garden Grove Pacifica at La Palma Kennedy

Garden Grove Santiago at Saddleback

Golden Valley at Westlake

Grand Terrace at Etiwanda

Heritage Christian at San Marino

Highland at Oak Hills

Hillcrest vs. Corona at SoFi Stadium, 5 p.m.

Hueneme at Thousand Oaks

Indio at Shadow Hills

JSerra at Sierra Canyon

Kaiser at Carter

Keppel at Baldwin Park

Laguna Hills at Anaheim Canyon

Lakeside at Pomona

La Puente at Covina

La Salle at La Canada

La Sierra at Miller

Leuzinger vs. Long Beach Poly at Veterans Stadium

Loara at Godinez

Long Beach Cabrillo at Artesia

Long Beach Wilson at Portola

Los Altos at Hacienda Heights Wilson

Magnolia at Costa Mesa

Maranatha at Arroyo

Marshall at Hoover, 5:30 p.m.

Mission Viejo at Santa Margarita

Montclair at Indian Springs

Moorpark at Rio Mesa

Newbury Park at Millikan

Nogales at California

Norte Vista at Silverado

Northwood at Irvine

Norwalk at Montebello

Oak Park at Agoura

Pacific at Nuview Bridge

Palmdale at Hesperia

Patriot at Chaffey

Peninsula at Alta Loma

Pioneer at Santa Fe

Rancho Cucamonga at Murrieta Valley

Rancho Verde at Corona del Mar

Rialto at Ontario

Riverside Notre Dame at Banning

Riverside Poly at Vista del Lago

Riverside Prep at Big Bear

Roosevelt at Riverside King

San Clemente at Tustin

San Gorgonio at Victor Valley

Santa Ana at Bellflower

Santa Ana Valley at Katella

Santa Barbara at Camarillo

Santa Paula at Grace

Schurr at Rio Hondo Prep

Segerstrom at Palm Springs

Servite at Corona Centennial

Simi Valley at Valencia

Sonora at Brea Olinda

St. Bonaventure at St. Francis

St. Paul at Bishop Amat

Sultana at Granite Hills

Sunny Hills at Westminster

Temescal Canyon at Paloma Valley

Temecula Valley at Liberty

Tesoro at El Toro

Upland at La Habra

Viewpoint at Channel Islands

Walnut at Garey

West Ranch at Oxnard Pacifica

West Valley at Valley View

Woodbridge at Santa Ana Calvary Chapel

Workman at Western Christian

Xavier Prep at Linfield Christian

INTERSECTIONAL

Bell at Bell Gardens

Brawley at Palm Desert

Cleveland at Harvard-Westlake

Clovis West at Edison

Coachella Valley at Vista

Crespi at Gardena, 4 p.m.

Desert Oasis (NV) at Dana Hills, 6 p.m.

El Centro Southwest at Canyon Springs

Franklin at Lynwood

Garces at Paraclete, 7:30 p.m.

Hart at Birmingham

Huntington Park at Village Christian

Imperial at Serrano

Inglewood at Central East

Jurupa Hills at Central

Knight at El Camino Real

Lakewood at Carlsbad

LA Marshall at Glendale

LA Roosevelt at Paramount

La Serna at Rancho Bernardo, 7:15 p.m.

Los Alamitos at Kapolei (HI), 10:30 p.m.

Mendez at Bassett

Mission Hills at Quartz Hill

Mountain Empire at Anza Hamilton

Mullen (CO) at Crean Lutheran

Nordhoff at Taft

Northview at Green Valley (NV), 6 p.m.

Oxnard at Mission College Prep

Rancho Christian at University City

Rancho Dominguez at Compton

Ridgecrest Burroughs at Tehachapi, 7:30 p.m.

Rosamond at Eastside

Santa Ynez at Dos Pueblos

South Gate at La Mirada

St. John Bosco at Manatee (FL), 4:30 p.m.

St. Monica at Venice

St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy at Sierra Vista (NV), 6 p.m.

Summit Academy (UT) at North Torrance

Torrance at San Pedro

Valhalla at San Jacinto Valley Academy

Warren (Downey, CA) at Farrington (HI), 10 p.m.

8-MAN

SOUTHERN SECTION

Calvary Baptist at Victor Valley Christian

Desert Christian at Vista Meridian, 5 p.m.

INTERSECTIONAL

Academy of Careers & Exploration at Horizon Prep

Avalon at Fresno Christian

Cuyama Valley at Frazier Mountain, 7:30 p.m.

New Designs University Park at Southlands Christian, 4 p.m.

Tehillah Christian Academy at Valley Oaks CES

SATURDAY

SOUTHERN SECTION

Nonleague

Cathedral City at Santa Rosa Academy, 6 p.m.

El Dorado at Diamond Bar

South El Monte at Alhambra

INTERSECTIONAL

San Fernando vs. Trinity Classical Academy at College of the Canyons, 6 p.m.

Bishop Montgomery vs. St. Louis (HI) at Radford, 10 p.m.

Carson vs. Villa Park at Fred Kelly Stadium

Mater Dei at Aquinas (FL), 12:30 p.m.

Orange Lutheran at Northwestern (FL), 4 p.m.

8-MAN

SOUTHERN SECTION

California Lutheran at Temecula Prep

Downey Calvary Chapel at Entrepreneur

Rams coach Sean McVay was not talking.

Aubrey Pleasant deferred to McVay. And Stetson Bennett was so busy leading a comeback victory, he said he did not notice.

No one in the Rams’ organization could answer these questions:

How did Matthew Stafford’s scheduled workout on Saturday play out? And was he at the Rams’ 23-22 victory over the Chargers at SoFi Stadium?

A team spokesman declined to comment, saying McVay would address the situation on Monday.

So the Stafford saga plays on, incrementally worsening as the Sept. 7 opener against the Houston Texans draws near.

Stafford, 37, is preparing for his 17th NFL season.

Check that: He would be if not for a back issue that has prevented him from taking a single snap or throwing a single pass during a team practice.

In late July, when the Rams reported to training camp at Loyola Marymount and Stafford’s back issue came to light, the situation was cause for concern.

For everyone, it seemed, but McVay.

The Rams had a plan, he said. He was not concerned. Stafford would not practice for the first week, but he would be out there with teammates in Week 2.

It did not happen.

Nearly a month later, it still hasn’t.

McVay said last week that the Rams were “trying to get our hands around” the situation.

But time is becoming shorter.

The Rams are three weeks away from the season opener at SoFi Stadium.

Jimmy Garoppolo has taken first-team snaps during team workouts and joint practices with the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints. Bennett has started preseason games against the Cowboys and the Chargers.

Garoppolo led the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl. Bennett is playing with the confidence he displayed while leading Georgia to two national titles.

With a physically sound Stafford, the Rams would be regarded as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

With Garoppolo or Bennett…

How much time Stafford would need to be ready for the opener is an open question.

Three weeks? Two? One?

No one questions Stafford’s toughness or grit. Or his desire to win another Super Bowl.

But for now, his physical condition and availability — and the Rams’ prospects this season and beyond — remain in doubt.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford walks on the field before a preseason win over the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 9.

(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was scheduled to work out on Saturday, a chance for the 17th-year pro to test his injured back.

But before the Rams played the Chargers at SoFi Stadium, when asked to confirm whether Stafford went through the workout, a Rams official declined to comment and said coach Sean McVay would address the situation Monday.

It was the latest mysterious and potentially troublesome turn in a saga that began at the start of training camp and continues as the Rams prepare for their Sept. 7 opener against the Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium.

Stafford, 37, is working through an aggravated disc, according to McVay, a situation that has prevented him from practicing with the team.

Last Saturday, before the Rams’ preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys, Stafford went through a workout in Woodland Hills that included more than 60 passes, McVay said after the Rams’ 31-21 victory. The plan was for Stafford to participate in individual drills two days later.

But Stafford did not practice last week. And after a joint practice with the New Orleans Saints on Thursday, McVay said Stafford would go through another workout in Woodland Hills on Saturday.

Aubrey Pleasant, the Rams assistant head coach, served as head coach for the game against the Chargers and appeared for the postgame news conference. McVay was not made available to reporters.

Third-year wide receiver Quentin Johnston was carted off the field after taking a big hit during the Chargers’ opening drive against the Rams in a preseason game at SoFi Stadium on Saturday.

Johnston was trying to haul in a pass from quarterback Justin Herbert when he was hit by Rams safety Tanner Ingle.

After staying down on the field for several minutes, Johnston stood up and was walking under his own power and talking to trainers and doctors before getting onto a cart and leaving the field.

Rookie KeAndre Lambert-Smith took over for Johnston on the drive.

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh elected to play most of his starters Saturday. Along with Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen, Johnston is expected to play a leading role in the Chargers’ passing game this season after recording 55 catches for 711 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024.

The pay is nonexistent, but the perk could be viewing games in the U.S., Mexico and Canada for free during the FIFA World Cup next summer.

FIFA launched the application process for the World Cup volunteers Monday. How many are needed? A staggering 65,000 across the 16 cities that will host the expanded 48-team format over 39 days beginning June 11, the largest volunteer program FIFA has ever attempted.

“Volunteers are the heart, soul and smile of FIFA tournaments,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said. “They get to show off their local pride, gain a behind-the-scenes view of the tournament and make memories and friendships that can last a lifetime, while supporting a historic event.

“We hope interested individuals will join us as we welcome the world to North America in 2026.”

In addition to stadiums, volunteers will provide support across at training sites, airports and hotels.

FIFA estimates 6.5 million fans will attend the World Cup, with 3.7 million attending games in the U.S., 1.5 million in Mexico and 1.3 million in Canada. The 2022 final with Lionel Messi leading Argentina past Kylian Mbappé and France, drew a record 1.42 billion viewers, including 26 million in the U.S.

“The Super Bowl, which is fantastic, has what, 120-130 million viewers? The World Cup has 6 billion,” Infantino told Fox Sports in April. “A World Cup is 104 Super Bowls in one month.”

Volunteers in the past ranged from students to seniors. No experience is required but applicants must be at least 18 years old. Interested individuals can apply at fifaworldcup.com/volunteers.

Those whose applications are accepted will be invited to attend the Volunteer Team Tryouts, which are expected to begin in October. Training will take place in March 2026.

‘Volunteers are the heartbeat of FIFA events and champions of their host city — sharing their pride and passion with fans from all corners of the globe, welcoming visitors to experience the unique culture of their host city and supporting the extraordinary event that is a FIFA World Cup,” FIFA said in a statement.

Los Angeles is one of 11 U.S. host cities, with eight games scheduled at SoFi Stadium, including the U.S. team’s opener June 12. After playing its second match in Seattle on June 19, the U.S. will conclude group play at SoFi on June 25.

Included in the games to be played in Inglewood are two round-of-32 games and a quarterfinal. Only one venue — AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas — was awarded more games with nine.

“We’re happy with with how it turned out,” U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said. “We look forward to being in L.A. [and] probably one of the best stadiums in the world and to get to play there twice in the group stage.”

Other U.S. hosts cities include Seattle, Houston, Kansas City, Atlanta, Boston, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Miami and the San Francisco Bay area. Games in Mexico and Canada will be held in Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Toronto and Vancouver.

“FIFA changed my life,” longtime volunteer Craig Collins said on a video. “Why do I want to volunteer again? I can give back to an organization that has provided for me without knowing it.

Collins became the one-millionth person to join the FIFA volunteer community in April 2025.

“I’m excited to apply for the 2026 volunteer program and hope to show off my community to the world once more.”

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has been sidelined because of a back issue, will work out for the first time Saturday before the Rams play the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium, coach Sean McVay said Thursday.

Stafford, 37, is dealing with an aggravated disc, and recently received an epidural for the condition, McVay said, confirming what was first reported by NFL Media.

“Part of getting the epidural was part of the plan,” set up by spine specialist Dr. Robert Watkins, McVay said, adding that Saturday’s workout was “on par with the schedule that we always had.”

McVay said Stafford would practice next week, though he will not participate in a joint practice with the Chargers.

“And then you’ll just continue to see his workload increase as long as he’s feeling good,” McVay said. “If this was in-season he would be playing right now.”

Etc.

Edge rusher Jared Verse left the field assisted by trainers after what McVay said was an incident in which he bumped knees with lineman Braden Fiske.

Sean McVay won’t have to worry about Matthew Stafford catching a twice-tipped pass and stumbling over the goal line during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys.

That anxiety-inducing event occurred last year when the Rams practiced against the Cowboys.

On Tuesday, the Rams again travel to Oxnard to practice against the Cowboys before Saturday’s preseason game at SoFi Stadium.

But the back issue that sidelined Stafford throughout training camp will keep him off the field.

When the Rams go through a jogthrough on Monday, Stafford will continue to work out on his own, McVay said Sunday after the final public workout at Loyola Marymount.

“He is able to do a little bit more, which is good, and things are progressing well,” McVay said. “But he won’t take part in the jogthrough because he’ll be doing some other stuff during that time.”

McVay said Stafford’s workouts with trainers have included some static throwing exercises, running on a treadmill, light cardio and core work.

“It’s more just functional strength surrounding the area while making sure that you don’t do anything to set yourself back, based on the trajectory that he’s doing,” McVay said. “But we are looking forward to getting him and easing him back to football hopefully in the near future.”