Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to start Sunday’s season finale against Minnesota, even as he faces multiple injuries in the last two months of the season, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Stafford suffered a thumb injury against Washington on November 15, a rib injury on December 13 against Green Bay and a right ankle injury against Tampa Bay last weekend. However, he has managed to start every game for the 5-10 Lions this season – and will probably do so again against the Vikings (6-9).
“If the rest of me, if I’m good, I want to be there,” Stafford said Monday, two days after his ankle injury, pulled him out of it all except one drive from Detroit’s 47-7 victory over the Buccaneers. “Do everything I can to try to get there by the end of the week and a way to figure out how it goes every day, how it responds to treatment, all this.
“But hopefully I’ll be good enough to go and be there.”
Stafford, 32, did not practice on Wednesday and was not expected to practice on Thursday, but did so on a limited basis. He also trained on a limited basis on Friday and was considered questionable for a two-team game guaranteed to finish below .500 this season.
When asked if he felt his body needed healing, Stafford said, “That’s part of the off-season, isn’t it? But we’re not there yet. Part of the off-season is to let your body heal and feel better. ”
That will happen starting Monday, but Stafford – who has played almost every injury since early 2011 except for a back injury last season – has made it clear he would like to play if he is fit. .
Stafford 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 single-digit interceptions.
On Thursday, Lions interim head coach Darrell Bevell refused to exclude Stafford in part because of his toughness. Bevell maintained last month that he had no problem playing Stafford without rehearsals during the week – something that happened in the team’s first game against the Minnesota Vikings, when he was considered close contact with a positive COVID-19 case and was isolated for the week.
However, Stafford was not as injured as he is now.
“He’s as tough as they are, tough as his nails. He wants to be there,” Bevell said Thursday. “I really think these two things are probably the most important. If the guy wants to – I always say that, I always say that your mind is a strong thing. You can do a lot if you just believe in it. The guy wants it. There is no no doubt in my mind that he will not do this, but obviously we will continue to spend the week and see how it goes. “
Looks like the week went well enough for Stafford to play. Chase Daniel, who Bevell said will start if Stafford can’t play, is expected to be his main support, followed by David Blough.