Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to begin Sunday’s final against Minnesota, even though he has been treating multiple injuries sustained over the past two months of the season, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Stafford suffered a right 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. Still, he managed to start every game for the 5-10 Lions this season – and will likely 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 the ankle injury picked him up from all of Detroit’s possessions 47-7 against the Buccaneers. ‘Do everything I can to get there by the end of the week and how to find out how it goes daily, how it responds to treatment, all that.
“But hopefully I can get it good enough to be out there.”
Stafford, 32, did not train on Wednesday and was initially not expected to train on Thursday, but eventually on a limited basis. He also trained on a limited basis on Friday and was considered dubious for a match between two teams that will end under 0,500 this season.
Asked if he thinks his body needs healing, Stafford said: “It’s part of the off-season, isn ‘t it? But we’re not there yet. Part of the off-season is to heal your body. let it heal and feel better. “
It will happen from Monday, but Stafford – who has endured almost every injury since the start of 2011 except for a back injury last season – has made it clear he would like to play if he is physically fit.
Stafford completed 64.2% of his passes this season for 3,791 yards, 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions. If he does not throw an interception on Sunday, it will be his first full season throwing single-digit interception.
Lions interim head coach Darrell Bevell on Thursday refused to exclude Stafford in part because of his toughness. Bevell maintained over the past month that he had no problems playing Stafford without representatives during the week – something that happened in the team’s first game against the Vikings in Minnesota, when he came into close contact with a positive COVID-19 case considered was isolated for the week.
Stafford was not as injured then as he is now.
“He’s as tough as they come, tough as nails. He wants to be there,” Bevell said Thursday. ‘I really think those two things are probably the most important. If the man wants to – I always say that, I always say that your mind is a powerful thing. You can do a lot if you just believe in it. The man wants it. There is no doubt in my mind that he will not let this happen, but of course we will go through the week and see how it goes. ‘
The week apparently went well enough for Stafford to play. Chase Daniel, who according to Bevell would start if Stafford could not play, is expected to be his primary backup, followed by David Blough.