Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to begin Sunday’s season finale against Minnesota, even as he faces multiple injuries he has suffered over the past two months of the season, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Stafford suffered a right thumb injury against Washington on Nov. 15, a rib injury on Dec. 13 against Green Bay and a right ankle injury against Tampa Bay last weekend. Still, he has managed to start every 5-10 Lions game this season, and will likely do so again against the Vikings (6-9).
“If the rest of me, if I’m good, I want to be out there,” Stafford said Monday, two days after the ankle injury, it took him out of it all except one shot from Detroit’s 47-7 loss against the Buccaneers. “Do your best to try to get there towards the end of the week and how to find out how your day is going, how you respond to treatment, all of that.
“But I hope I can get it well enough to go there.”
Stafford, 32, did not practice on Wednesday and was initially not expected to practice on Thursday, but ended up doing so in a limited way. He also exercised on a limited basis on Friday and was considered questionable for a match between two teams that was guaranteed to end below. 500 this season.
When asked if he thought his body needed healing, Stafford said, “That’s part of what low season is, isn’t it? But we’re not there yet. Part of low season is letting your body be heal and feel better “.
That will happen starting Monday, but Stafford, who has played almost every injury since early 2011, aside from a back injury last season, made it clear he would like to play if he was physically fit. .
Stafford has completed 64.2% of his passes for 3,791 yards, 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season. If he doesn’t throw an interception on Sunday, it would be his first full season throwing one-digit interceptions.
On Thursday, Lions interim coach Darrell Bevell declined to dismiss Stafford in part because of his toughness. Bevell has maintained for the past month that he had no trouble playing Stafford without any reps during the week, which happened in the team’s first game against the Vikings in Minnesota, when close contact with a case was considered. COVID-19 positive and remained isolated during the week.
Stafford wasn’t as hurt as he is now, though.
“It’s as hard as they come, as hard as nails. He wants to be out there,” Bevell said Thursday. “I really think these two things are probably the most important. If the guy wants it, I always say it, I always say your mind is a powerful thing. You can do a lot if you just believe in it. The man wants it. “I have no doubt he will not, but obviously we will continue to spend the week and see how it goes.”
Looks like the week went well enough for Stafford to be able to play. Chase Daniel, who Bevell said would start if Stafford could not play, is expected to be his main support, followed by David Blough.