Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Stafford might be out for the season
The Detroit Lions’ starting quarterback, Matt Stafford, has a Grade 3 shoulder separation on his right shoulder according to preliminary tests. An MRI done on Monday will confirm the results. If they are
conclusive, Stafford will be done for the season, but thus far the team is being tight-lipped about what the MRI actually showed. Stafford is reportedly likely to seek a second opinion.
He was hurt in a 23-20 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday after being tackled from behind by Josh Mauga. The Lions were leading the Jets 20-10 at the time.
It’s the second time Stafford has separated his throwing shoulder this season. The first was a Grade 2 separation that kept him out of the lineup for six weeks.
“I've got to talk some more with these doctors and kind of figure out what they're thinking,” Stafford said on Detroit radio. “It's kind of frustrating to be coming back and, two games later, be knocked
out again. We'll take it day by day and figure out what the plan is.”
Lions’ head coach, Jim Schwartz, said on Monday that surgery wouldn’t be considered until further tests have been performed to determine the extent of the injury.
“I think I just, all our tests and consultations and everything else, I just won't comment any more on,” said Schwartz to reporters. “He'll be thoroughly evaluated.”
Stafford has completed 57 of 96 passes for 535 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception this season.
This is Stafford’s fourth injury in less than two years in the NFL. Last year he missed two games because of a dislocated knee cap, and he missed another four with a separated left shoulder.
“I don't question his durability at all,” Schwartz said. “He hasn't been able to play as much as he'd like to play, but he hasn't been hampered by hangnails or, you know, headaches or anything like that.
He's been hit by 290-pound guys going full speed.”
Behind Stafford on the depth chart is fourth year quarterback, Drew Stanton, who has completed 20 of 36 passes for 233 yards, one touchdown, and one interception so far this season.
Shaun Hill played most of the games when Stafford was hurt the first time this season, but he’s out with an arm injury and is doubtful for this Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
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