CARSON, Calif. – When asked on Thursday if quarterback [Matthew Stafford](/team/players-roster/matthew-stafford/)'s back issue is more functional or pain tolerance, Rams head coach Sean McVay said "I think probably a little bit of both."
"We're trying to get our hands around this as well, so I don't really have much more information other than think we're trying some different things that are hopefully going to be in alignment with getting him back out on the field," McVay said after Thursday's joint practice with the Saints.
Stafford did not participate in Thursday's joint practice with the Saints. Although the team is taking things one day at a time with him, Stafford not practicing against the Saints wasn't too much of a surprise, given McVay had already ruled out Stafford from participating in their joint practice with the Chargers that ended up getting canceled.
Stafford was scheduled to return to practice this past Monday and participate in individual drills before the Rams decided against him participating after he "didn't feel good enough" coming in Monday.
McVay said Stafford has another workout scheduled for Saturday similar to the one he conducted last weekend.
### Forbes practicing again
Cornerback [Emmanuel Forbes Jr.](/team/players-roster/emmanuel-forbes/) (hamstring) returned to practice earlier this week and participated in Thursday's joint practice.
"He got about 50 percent of the snaps today, which was in alignment with the plan," McVay said. "It's good to be able to get him out on (the) practice (field) a couple days ago, and looks like he's feeling good. And so for that, we're grateful."