The Lions got some good news on Monday regarding the shoulder of quarterback Matthew Stafford. But it’s good news that wasn’t entirely unexpected.
Coach Jim Schwartz said that Stafford won’t need surgery to repair an injury to his throwing shoulder, per Larry Lage of the Associated Press. Peter King of NBC reported during Football Night in America that the injury preliminarily had been assessed as a Grade II sprain of the AC joint, which means that it was believed to be a moderate separation of the shoulder. Typically, an injury of that magnitude doesn’t require surgery.
If surgery had been required, Stafford possibly could have been out for the year.
Schwartz said there’s no timetable on the second-year quarterback’s return. We heard on Sunday in the aftermath of the injury that the team feared he’d miss at least two-to-three weeks, and as many as four to six.
The Lions play the Eagles, Vikings, Packers, Rams, and Giants before getting a bye in Week Seven.
And so it appears that, when Philly travels to Detroit in Week Two, injuries will result in backup quarterbacks starting for each team.
But, please, let’s continue to insist on adding two games to the regular season.