Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to start Sunday’s season finale against Minnesota, even as he faces multiple injuries sustained in the last two months of the season, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Stafford sustained a right thumb injury against Washington on November 15, a rib injury against Green Bay on December 13, and a right ankle injury against Tampa Bay last weekend. Still, he has managed to start every game for the 5-10 Lions this season – and will likely do so again against the Vikings (6-9).
“Like the rest of me, if I’m good, I want to be out there,” Stafford said Monday, two days after the ankle injury took him out of Detroit’s all but one loss 47-7 to the Buccaneers. “Do everything I can to try and get there by the end of the week and find out how it’s going on a daily basis, how it’s responding to treatment, all that.
“But hopefully I can get it right enough to be out there.”
Stafford, 32, did not practice on Wednesday and was not initially expected to practice on Thursday, but ended up doing so on a limited basis. He also practiced on a limited Friday and was considered dubious for a match between two teams guaranteed to finish below .500 this season.
When asked if he thought his body needed to heal, Stafford said, “That’s part of what the off season is, right? But we’re not there yet. Part of the off season is letting your body heal and getting you better. feel. “
That will happen from Monday, but Stafford – who has endured nearly every injury since the start of 2011, save for a back injury last season – made it clear that he would love to play if he was physically able.
Stafford completed 64.2% of his passes for 3,791 yards, 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season. If he doesn’t throw any interceptions on Sunday, it would be his first full season with single digit interceptions.
On Thursday, Lions refused to partially rule out interim head coach Darrell Bevell Stafford due to his toughness. Bevell has maintained for the past month that he had no problem playing Stafford with no reps throughout the week – something that happened in the team’s first game against the Vikings in Minnesota, when he was considered close contact with a positive COVID 19 case and was isolated for the week.
However, Stafford was not as hurt then as he is now.
“He’s as strong as they come, tough as nails. He wants to be out there, ”Bevell said Thursday. “I really think those two things are probably the most important. If the man wants to – I always say this, I always say your mind is a powerful thing. You can do a lot if you just believe in that. The man wants it. I have no doubt he won’t let it happen, but it’s clear we’ll go through the week and see how it goes. ”
The week apparently went well enough for Stafford to play. Chase Daniel, whom Bevell said would start if Stafford couldn’t play, is expected to be his main backup, followed by David Blough.