IRVINE —  Matthew Stafford shook his head at the first question and scoffed at the follow-up question. The Rams’ quarterback was irritated about having to talk about the irritation in his throwing arm.

“I’m just going through something that’s irritating at the moment, but I’m working through it,” Stafford said Saturday about his arm soreness, and also maybe about the post-practice news conference centered around his “abnormal” pain.

Stafford wasn’t happy at the podium, but he provided some clarity into a murky situation that has generated plenty of headlines since the Rams’ decision to reduce his training camp workload because of elbow pain in his throwing arm.

“I just have a little soreness,” said Stafford, who threw in Saturday’s individual period. “We’re working through it. I felt pretty good today. I thought I looked pretty good, but just trying to be smart with it and make me feel as good as I can feel going into Week 1 and while still getting as many reps as I can.”

The popular subject started with Stafford sitting out team drills on Monday, and with Rams coach Sean McVay announcing the following day a new two-week workout plan that required his veteran quarterback to miss the remaining team drills during their stay at UC Irvine. That raised concerns because Stafford received an elbow injection in his throwing arm in the offseason and didn’t throw in practice until training camp.

McVay attempted to downplay the situation by saying they’re not concerned about Stafford’s long-term health, but then the saga escalated Thursday after the NFL Network reported that Stafford is dealing with “bad tendinitis” in his elbow. It didn’t help that McVay referred to it as “abnormal” pain and something they’re learning about on the fly because this issue is something mostly baseball pitchers deal with.

“You guys want to talk to me about something other than my right arm?” an annoyed Stafford asked.

Stafford appeared to be his usual self during an impressive 7-on-7 period, which included a variety of throws downfield. He was sharp in the red-zone drills and put on a show for the fans in Irvine with touchdown passes to tight end Tyler Higbee and wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson.

Matthew Stafford letting it fly in individuals #Rams pic.twitter.com/xGEP4OJASm

— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) August 6, 2022

“If you guys were watching, I don’t know really how much you can ask about how Matthew’s feeling,” McVay said. “I mean, he threw it all over the yard today. Looked really good, felt good.

But Stafford’s sensational performance couldn’t do the talking because of the confusion that was created throughout the week. The Rams haven’t specified Stafford’s injury, but Stafford described it as “general soreness.”

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“I’m not going to get into how we got to this point,” said Stafford after being asked if wear and tear from his 14-year career is the cause of his pain. “I don’t think that is the sole cause of it, but I’m sure it contributes to it. Any time you put an arm through as much stress that I have over the years, it’s not going to look like your elbow, I’m sure.

“It’s not one of those things that the more I throw the worse it’s going to get.”

Stafford was forced to answer annoying questions, but there’s now some clarity and he appears to be on track for the season opener after another standout throwing session.

“You guys are watching,” Stafford said. “Felt like I can make any throw I wanted to today and just trying to be smart when I get those opportunities and make sure I can come out here cut it loose, turn it loose like I did today and go from there.”

Matthew Stafford: “Feeling good, I’m on track.” He’s pretty annoyed about having to talk about the throwing arm #Rams pic.twitter.com/aLmiAtSLwU

— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) August 6, 2022