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The hashtag #StaffordDiedWeeksAgo has been trending on social media following Matthew Stafford’s return to practice after being sidelined with an injury. Fans are jokingly claiming that the future Hall of Fame Los Angeles Rams quarterback is actually dead and has been replaced by a clone.
Matthew Stafford’s return to the Los Angeles Rams’ practice field comes after weeks of vague updates about the back injury that he’s been dealing with, with the organization staying he was treating an aggravated disc in his back and reportedly received an epidural to treat it.
On Monday, however, Stafford suddenly returned to the Rams’ practice field, leading to the viral jokes about him “actually being dead from NFL fans.
The hashtag #StaffordDiedWeeksAgo goes viral after Los Angeles Rams quarterback returned to practice
Obvious clone.#StaffordDiedWeeksAgo#HeNeverLeftTheChamber#McVayLiedStaffordDied https://t.co/wG3qba3gYX
— Professor Henry F. Trenches (@tinylittlehomie) August 18, 2025
Rams rolling out Matthew Stafford for Week 1 #StaffordDiedWeeksAgo pic.twitter.com/4CMdO7ea56
— Michael Ritter (@MikeSteveRitter) August 18, 2025
“Wow, just heard the news about Matthew Stafford. Devastating! He was so young, but unfortunately, he died,” another viral tweet joked
“Damar Hamlin was an obvious test run for Matt Stafford,” another proposed.
The LA Rams shared a deepfake video showing deceased quarterback Matthew Stafford practicing with the team. Disrespectful to his memory and to his family. https://t.co/Fh5KEnQCPE
— Coach Lew (@CoachLewGrizz) August 18, 2025
Rams players were shown this touching video update from Matthew Stafford today in practice. pic.twitter.com/eIKDcudLbA
— Evil August Resister (@NBABabySecret) August 18, 2025
Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams will begin their 2025 season with a home matchup against the Houston Texans on Sunday, September 7 at 4:25 p.m. EST.
The Rams are coming off a 2024 season that saw them win the NFC West with a 10-7 record and advance to the Divisional Round of the NFC playoffs, where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelpha Eagles in a nail-bitter.
Last season, Stafford started in 16 of the Rams 17 regular season games and completed 65.8% of his passeds for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.