Detroit Lions franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford has been sidelined after fracturing multiple bones in his back earlier this season. The 31-year-old gunslinger was on track for a solid season in the Motor City, throwing nearly 2,500 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions in eight games. While Stafford has lobbied to get back in the lineup before the end of the 2019 season, Detroit looked to prevent further damaging their star signal-caller—until Monday.
Per Paula Pasche in Lions Lowdown:
“Out of respect for Matthew and his competitiveness and what he means to this team and what he brings every single week, we’re just going to kind of take it week-by-week and see what happens from that standpoint,’’ head coach Matt Patricia said.
Stafford, selected by Detroit with the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft and a former Comeback Player of the Year winner, went down in the Lions' Week 9 loss to the Oakland Raiders. He has been out with the back injury ever since.
“Now that he’s had this injury and it’s pushed him back again — he’s been here all the time, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. “He’s been in the quarterback room going through the same preparation as if he was playing then helping those younger guys. If you ask Jeff and Dave they’ll tell you how helpful he’s been, he’s in their ear on the sideline, he’s looking through the pictures with them giving them extra coaching points, he’s doing a good job staying engaged.’’
The Lions lost at home on Thanksgiving Day in spite of undrafted rookie quarterback David Blough's best efforts, throwing two touchdowns and 280 yards in the defeat. While Stafford's return this season is unlikely, the franchise is still playing nice as the star recuperates, and the Lions slide down the NFC standings.
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