LOS ANGELES – As the Rams conduct their first training camp practice in pads on Monday, they will do so without quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Head coach Sean McVay on Saturday said Stafford, who is dealing with back soreness, will not practice next week as anticipated – he was scheduled to do so during the second five-day block of camp – and that the team will take it "a week at a time" with him, but the goal remains to have him back for Week 1 against the Texans.

"He's doing really well. We've got a good plan in place," McVay said after Saturday's practice. "We are going to still take some more time with him, though. Nothing that's changed in terms of a setback. I probably spoke a little bit too soon, but the ultimate goal is Houston and being mindful of that. So we'll take it a week at a time with him. So I did want to be able to let you guys know about that. Based on sitting down with Reggie and with Matthew and talking with Dr. (Robert) Watkins, feel like that's the smart thing to do."

McVay also said that "I don't have any reason to be concerned based on the information that's been given," reiterating the goal is still for Stafford to be back Week 1 and that this is the best plan for him.

"I don't think we can be smart enough with somebody like Matthew, and I think it's best for him, best for our football team and that's kind of the plan that we'll have moving forward," McVay said.

McVay also said that inside linebacker Chris "Pooh" Paul Jr. and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon are dealing with calf injuries that have kept them out of the last couple of practices.

McVay said "we're just being smart with Pooh," and that Witherspoon is day-to-day.