Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon despite battling a lingering hand injury that has plagued him since last week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

That is some huge news for Detroit, as the Lions are still attempting to navigate through a brutal NFC.

Stafford, who has been an iron man of sorts for the last five seasons, injured his hand late in Detroit's loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday.

X-rays were negative on Stafford’s hand. He has been limited in practice all week, and he’s officially listed as questionable.

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The Lions were cautious with him during practice this week, and never really giving full updates on his health, but barring any setbacks between now and game time, it appears that Stafford is good to go.

As for the aforementioned iron man stuff? The veteran gunslinger has not missed a game since his second season in the National Football League (2010-11), where he was sidelined for almost the entire year due to shoulder surgery.

In 12 contests this season, Matthew Stafford has thrown for 3,302 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 63.9 percent of his passing attempts.

The Lions enter Sunday’s action with an overall record of 6-6 . Time is running out on Detroit if the franchise wants to make the playoffs. To do so, or even just attempt it, the Lions will need a healthy Matthew Stafford.