Detroit Lions interim head coach Darrell Bevel said on Monday that the team would decide over the weekend whether Matthew Stafford would play in the opening quarterfinal match due to a rib injury sustained in Sunday’s loss to Green Bay.
When asked if Stafford had broken any ribs, Powell said the X-rays came back negative, but he had no further information on the extent of his injury.
“It will be a deal and we will take it over the weekend,” Bevel said. “He’s a little better this afternoon than he was this morning, so let’s see how it goes and how he can progress.”
Bevel said that even if the Lions find out their quarterback condition, Stafford will try to recover and this week in practice backups Chase Daniel and David Pluff will pick more representatives.
Stafford were injured when Packers defensive lineman Kenny Clarke was hit by a slip in the fourth quarter. Kerrian Johnson Touch Down Run – He was still staying in a play, but he caught his left abdomen while celebrating Touch Down. He never returned to the game after that and was not available after the game – a rarity in his life.
Powell said he spoke with Stafford in the Laugh Room after Sunday night’s game, how he felt and back Monday morning. He did it to check his health more than anything about the game. Bevel said it was “going to take a lot to get him out” because of his toughness.
The 32-year-old Stafford has been known for toughness throughout his life – playing with hand, finger and back injuries over the past few seasons. Even on Sunday against Green Bay, Stafford tried to sideline the mix of pain and see if he could restart the game before he was able to complete what he needed, pushing Powell to insert Dowell in his place.
Powell, who played quarterback in college in Wisconsin, said how Stafford feels during the week depends on where the injury is. Bevel said use your left side “slightly more than your right side” so this is something they need to keep track of, and how far he can go.
“Sure, he’s definitely who he is, but we ‘re going to use all the resources we have, we have athletic training staff, we have doctors, and then obviously he feels how he has a big word,” Bevel said. “We’ll look at the tests with our eyes and see how he works, but it will basically be performance-oriented.
“If he can act at a high level, one can perform better and two, can defend himself.”
Detroit made another move on Monday – with Bevel Rookie Corner announcing he will have end-of-season surgery on Jeff Okuda as the team puts him on injured reserves at one point this week.
Powell said Okuda has had a tough season with injuries and is coming off the line, but looks to have a “bright future” for 3rd place overall this year.
“He’s only going to be better than he’s been this year,” Bevel said. “Also, I expect him to go out and get this surgery and come up with a new approach, a renewed effort to shape himself, get himself ready to play and get ready to grind this.”