The late-morning sun beat down on the grass at UC Irvine, the sound of pads popping echoing off the bleachers. Matthew Stafford stood just behind the action, helmet tucked under one arm, watching first-team reps unfold without him. No wince. No rush to join in. Just a veteran quarterback at ease on the sideline — and a head coach whose steady posture made one thing clear: this was no scramble to fix a crisis, this was sticking to the plan.

Stafford, dealing with an aggravated spinal disc, has been following a structured recovery program since receiving an epidural to reduce inflammation. Officially “week-to-week,” he’s been kept out of the joint practice with the Chargers — a decision made well before camp hit its stride. On 7 Aug, Sean McVay leaned into patience over panic.

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