ALLEN PARK — Matthew Stafford said shutting down for the season has not been discussed.
“This is what I do. I understand your question, this is what I love to do, I love playing football,’’ Stafford said on Wednesday.
The Detroit Lions quarterback, who is dealing with a back injury (he offered no specifics) has missed two straight games. Stafford would not rule himself out for Sunday at the Washington Redskins, but he didn’t practice on Wednesday and it seems unlikely he will get the green light.
“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 it,’’ Stafford said. “It’s tough for me to sit there without the pads on and not be able to impact the game on the field like I’m used to doing. That’s driving me to get back out there when we all deem it’s the right time.’’
When he is healthy he will be back. No consideration will be given to his future health or the fact the Lions are 3-6-1.
“I think for me if I’m healthy enough to go play I’m going to go play. Every time I step out on a football field the next week, the next play, the next year’s health is in question because it’s a violent game, I understand that,’’ Stafford said.
He repeatedly said he’s doing everything to get back out there as soon as possible.
“It’s not just myself going through it, there’s a bunch of people looking into it, a bunch of people going in on the decision on when is the best time for me to come back,’’ said Stafford who was injured late in the loss at Chicago on Nov. 10.
In the first nine games, he had thrown for 2,499 yards with 19 touchdowns and five interceptions.
“I was having a blast out there playing and it’s obviously just difficult to not be out there,’’ Stafford said.
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