Lions keep silent on QB Stafford’s playing status

Since rookie quarterback Matt Stafford left the Detroit Lions game against the Cincinnati Bengals with aggravation of his separated non-throwing shoulder, Coach Jim Schwartz has been silent on whether the quarterback would be available for this Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.


He just did what he usually did with Lions’ injury information.

“I’ve got a pretty good idea of his status, but I don’t feel any need to tell Baltimore that information,” Schwartz said. “They play Monday night this week, so they are already facing a short week and the difficulties that brings. I’d rather not help their game-planning process by letting them know which quarterback we expect to play.”

But we can just guess that it is very unlikely Stafford will wear back his Lions jersey and play. Originally injuring the shoulder at the end of the 38-37 win over the Cleveland Browns two weeks ago, Stafford had had little time to take care of it. He returned to field after briefly resting the shoulder and threw a winning touchdown, and only four days later he played still in Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day loss to Green Bay Packers. I guess the throw in the 23-13 loss to the Bengals should be the last straw and the shoulder is protesting for its own health. It needs rest, and Stafford needs even more to heal the injury.

Stafford’s status is still uncertain for Sunday’s game against Steelers

The Detroit Lions Coach Jim Schwartz seemingly still waits for good news on quarterback Matt Stafford’s injury. With only two days left before the Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was still not ready to announce the starting quarterback for the game.


What seemed to good news was that the rookie quarterback finally put back on his No. 9 Lions jersey and took part in team practices, on limited basis, after missing practice Wednesday and Thursday. But the Coach refused to tell how much work the first overall pick in April’s draft had done in team drills, and Stafford declined to speak to the media. So, I guess the quarterback’s performance might not be good enough.

That means a bigger chance to veteran Daunte Culpepper, who will be Stafford’s replacement and start against the Steelers if the rookie will not be able to play. To be or not to be the starter, he may have known already, but we will not know until Sunday as Schwartz has said that he would announce the starter by then.