Subscribe
Follow Us
Matthew Stafford's back injury may be more severe than previously perceived. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Detroit Lions quarterback could miss up to three weeks for fractured bones in his back. He is week to week after officially missing Week 10.
Though a participant in Friday's practice, Stafford's, 31, season could now be in jeopardy. After doctors did extra tests on his back, they concluded he is no shape to play. In missing Sunday's tilt with the Chicago Bears, his streak of 136 consecutive starts — the NFL's second-longest active streak — is now snapped.
Stafford's back injury is not new. It dates back to the 2018 season, where he reportedly played through breaks — all while not missing a game. In Week 4, versus the Kansas City Chiefs, he was questionable to play up until kickoff. The Lions have listed Stafford as questionable twice in 2019.
The Lions quarterback has put up some fine numbers in 2019. 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.
There is a possibility that the Lions shut Stafford down for the rest of 2019. Considering the back injury is an ailment that has hindered him for the last two seasons, Detroit would be wise to play it with extreme caution.
Filling in for Stafford will be Jeff Driskel. Formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals, he will be receiving his sixth career start on Sunday.
