Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford will not play on Sunday against the Chicago Bears. The 31-year-old is dealing with broken bones in his back, similar to his condition in 2018. There is a possibility that he will be out for an extended period of time, with three weeks being the number tossed around.
According to General Manager Bob Quinn, Stafford suffered the back injury in Week 9's loss to the Oakland Raiders. Said Quinn on Sunday, via Lions senior writer Tim Twentyman:
“Had the back injury last week near the end of the Oakland game. Practiced on limited all week. Listed him as questionable. Got to the stadium this morning, met with the doctors, and he wasn’t medically cleared to play today. So, he’s deactivated.”
Stafford played with broken bones in 2018. That didn't stop him from starting all 16 games. However, the Lions officially ended his streak of 136 consecutive starts on Sunday (second-most for active players) by deeming him active for the divisional contest. Stafford was questionable to play all week after being a limited participant in practice.
On the year, Stafford has the fourth-most passing yards in the NFL (2,499) and second-most touchdowns (19), all while throwing on a 64.3% clip. Stafford’s 1.7% interception rate is the lowest in his career for a season with more than three games played. MVP-caliber numbers.
Filling in for Stafford will be Jeff Driskel. Formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals, he will be receiving his sixth career start on Sunday.
The Lions signed Driskel on Sept. 17 after his release from the Bengals.
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