Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Lions have discussed the possibility of shutting down QB Matthew Stafford for the season due to his back injury.
However, Stafford is reportedly “maniacal” about returning this season and is hoping to play again before the season is out.
Schefter says it’s unlikely Stafford will be able to return in time for the Thanksgiving game against the Chicago Bears. Although, Detroit has yet to rule him out for Week 13.
Doctors have told Stafford that his back injury would sideline most players six weeks, so barring a string of wins in the next few weeks, the safest approach would be to shut him down at some point.
Jeff Driskel will get his third straight start for the Lions today.
Stafford is specifically dealing with tiny, non-displaced fractures in the upper thoracic spine, according to Ian Rapoport.
Stafford, 31, is a former first-round pick of the Lions back in 2009. He was in the final year of his five-year, $76.5 million contract when he and the Lions agreed to a five-year, $135 million extension back in 2017.
Stafford stands to make base salaries of $13.5 million and $15 million over the next two years of the agreement.
In 2019, Stafford has appeared in eight games and completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 2,499 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has also rushed for 66 yards.
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