Rams HC Sean McVay expects Stetson Bennett to be out for the entire season

Stetson Bennett, the former Georgia star, probably won’t be back for the Rams this season. And it’s still a mystery as to what is keeping him out of games.

Rams coach Sean McVay provided an update on Bennett’s status on Monday afternoon, after the Rams returned to Los Angeles from a road game against the Cowboys. Since starting quarterback Matthew Stafford injured his thumb in the loss to Dallas, backups were a popular topic in a media availability with the head coach.

However, Stetson Bennett still is on the reserve/non-football injury list. And McVay’s update really didn’t have many details.

“He’s doing well,” McVay told reporters. “I would say there’s really no updates in regard to him returning back with us.

“I’m not ready to say that he won’t be back with us at all this year, but it’s probably less likely than it is likely he would be.”

Bennett, the Rams’ fourth-round draft pick, first had been dealing with a shoulder issue. But on Sept. 13, two days after the first game of the season, the Rams placed him on the non-football injury list. The explanation was that Bennett had an illness.

McVay declined to provide details then, explaining that he wanted to keep the information “in-house.”

“There are certain things that I think are a little bit bigger and more important, and out of respect for the particulars and the specifics, (I) want to be able to keep it in-house,” McVay told reporters back in September.

Stafford also extended his well wishes to Stetson Bennett. The two always will be linked by the Bulldogs.

“Got a lot of love for Stetson,” Stafford said when Bennett, who’d earned the backup spot, was placed on the non-injury list. “Appreciate him as a teammate, and Brett (Rypien) and I will roll with it as we go on.”

Then later in September, McVay told reporters that he’d talked to Bennett. “He’s doing really well, which I was really encouraged to be able to hear,” McVay said. “Got a chance to hear his voice and he sounds really good, and that was really cool to hear.”

With Stetson Bennett unavailable, the Rams need another body in the quarterback room. McVay said Stafford’s status is “day-to-day.” He sprained the thumb of his throwing hand, which keeps him from properly gripping the ball. Rypien replaced Stafford, Sunday, against the Cowboys.

McVay said Stafford suffered the injury as he was throwing to rookie receiver Puka Nacua.