Matthew Stafford's Status Still Uncertain For Lions Game With Broncos On Sunday
By Danny Cox
The Detroit Lions really didn't need any more troubles to come with their 0-2 start to the 2015 NFL regular season, but it happened earlier this week. Quarterback Matthew Stafford does have injured ribs, but there has not been a lot of detail on the injury or even when it happened.
Detroit has also been very tight-lipped about his status for Sunday's game with the Denver Broncos. Stafford did speak on Wednesday about it in very short fashion.
"I feel pretty good. I'm sure you'll find that out after coach releases the post-practice report."
Essentially, both Stafford and head coach Jim Caldwell just kind of gave a "we'll see" type of answer when it came to the quarterback. All that is really known is that Stafford's ribs are injured and the injury happened sometime during the team's loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
On Wednesday, Stafford did participate in the small part of practice open to the media, which was throwing some short and deep passes. He didn't appear to show much sign of injury and it's possible he will play on Wednesday, but nothing is really known just yet.
If Stafford can't start, then that job will go to Dan Orlovsky and adjustments would need to be made. Caldwell has said that the Lions are always looking at backup plans in case any serious adjustments need to be made.
One of those adjustments is that the Lions are possibly looking at quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who is currently on the practice squad. It's quite possible that Stanzi could be called up to the active 53-man roster if Matthew Stafford isn't playing this Sunday night against the Broncos.
During the offseason and training camp, Stanzi spent most of his time with the New York Giants and learned their system. He's only recently come in with the Lions and isn't quite up to speed for what a backup quarterback in a game situation needs to be.
Still, there may end up being no option and Orlovsky will need a backup of some sort if he ends up starting this Sunday.
The Detroit Lions really didn't need something else to come down on them after two heartbreaking losses to open the season, but it's the way of the game. The NFL comes with injuries and right now, Matthew Stafford has one. His status isn't quite known for Sunday, but head coach Jim Caldwell is hoping those adjustments don't need to be made just yet—or at all.
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.