Matthew Stafford’s streak of 136 straight starts will end today at Chicago. The Lions quarterback was listed among the Lions’ inactive players 90 minutes before kickoff.
Stafford had been limited in practice all week and was listed as questionable for the game on Friday’s report.
Jeff Driskell is expected to start. He started the final five games for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018 and played in four others. He completed 59.7 percent of his passes, threw for 1,005 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions.
Schefter reports Stafford has fractured bones in his back and is considered week to week. It appears he was injured on first-and-goal at the end of last Sunday’s game.
On Wednesday, Stafford downplayed it and said it was different from injury at the beginning of the year. “I’ll be good to go. I’m not really worried about it. Something different, but I’m totally good,’’ Stafford told reporters.
Stafford’s wife Kelly posted on Facebook: “I don’t think there is anything this man hates more than to not be out there battling with his guys. These men work so hard all year long. It’s it’s tough to sideline them. So I’m grateful for our team docs. He has battled through so much, so much more than anyone knows. I’m incredibly proud to be his wife, he the toughest SOB. But I’m happy his body will get a little healing time … I know I can speak for all of us when I say it’s always nice to beat the Bears. Let’s go!”
His streak started on Sept. 11, 2011. His last missed start was on Jan. 2, 2011.
Other Lions inactives vs. the Bears: Tracy Walker, Da’Shawn Hand, Romeo Okwara, Miles Killebrew, Michael Jackson and Beau Benzschawel.
(Photo courtesy of Detroit Lions)
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