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The Detroit Lions currently sit with a record of 3-6-1, and their season is seeming to come to a bitter end, with playoff hopes basically non-existent even if they win out.
The question on many fans’ minds is: When will Matthew Stafford be back?
The league knows how tough Stafford is; 136 consecutive starts under center, playing with injuries, broken fingers, you name it. Ultimately, fractured bones in his back from a hit late in the Week 9 game against the Oakland Raiders forced the quarterback onto the injury report. Stafford is having one of the most productive seasons in his career and was on pace for 4,998 yards, 38 touchdowns to go along with only 10 interceptions before the injury.
Wednesday (video below), Stafford was asked about whether he’d come back this season.
“I am doing everything I can, to get out there as fast as possible,” he told reporters. “I understand your question, but this is what I love to do. I love playing football. I appreciate all the hard work that all the guys in this locker room and in this organization put into going out there and trying to win games on Sunday and I love being a part of that.”
Stafford further explained that it doesn’t matter whether it’s Week 14-17, that he wants to be out there on the field.
“It’s tough for me to sit there without the pads on and not be able to impact the game on the field the way I’m used to doing,” Stafford continued. “That’s driving me to get back out there, and whenever we all deem it’s the right time for me to get back out there, I’ll be out there.”
It’s a difficult dilemma to have for the Lions right now. Play Stafford when he’s healthy, or shut him down for the remainder of the season and protect your franchise quarterback? We will find out their decision soon enough.
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You can watch the entire Stafford interview from Wednesday below: