Matthew Stafford was scratched with a back injury by the Detroit Lions before Sunday’s game at Chicago, and the NFL is looking into when the team knew its quarterback wouldn’t be able to go against the Bears, according to multiple reports on Monday.
Stafford was hurt late in the Week 9 loss to the Oakland Raiders, according to general manager Bob Quinn, and the Lions did list Stafford as limited throughout the week on the official injury report.
But several players said the team disclosed on Saturday that Stafford wouldn’t play. No official status update was given until Stafford was ruled inactive 90 minutes before kickoff at Soldier Field.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Stafford’s injury dates to last season.
It is common for the NFL to investigate injury matters related to the official injury report and designations that might be viewed as suspicious. Questionable means the team gives the player a 50-50 chance to play in the game. Doubtful equates to a 25 percent chance.
Related: Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia
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ALLEN PARK, MI – FEBRUARY 07: Matt Patricia speaks at a press conference after being hired as the head coach of the Detroit Lions at the Detroit Lions Practice Facility on February 7, 2018 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 21: New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia looks at a play card in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
ALLEN PARK, MI – FEBRUARY 07: Matt Patricia speaks at a press conference after being hired as the head coach of the Detroit Lions at the Detroit Lions Practice Facility on February 7, 2018 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ALLEN PARK, MI – FEBRUARY 07: Matt Patricia speaks at a press conference after being hired as the head coach of the Detroit Lions at the Detroit Lions Practice Facility on February 7, 2018 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 21: New England Patriots’ defensive coordinator Matt Patricia reacts during the second quarter. The New England Patriots host the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on Jan. 21, 2018. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 17: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, chats with defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, right, during practice at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Jan. 17, 2018. The Patriots prepare for the AFC championship game against Jacksonville. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 28: Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia, answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 28, 2018 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 28: Detroit Lions head coach matt Patricialeaves the final meetings at the 2018 NFL Annual Meetings at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Great Lakes on March 28, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by B51/Mark Brown/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 28: Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia, answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 28, 2018 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 07:New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia reacts on the sideline during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on September 7, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 19: New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia watches a replay during the NFL preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans on August 19, 2017 at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON – FEBRUARY 7: Matt Patricia, left, holds up a Lombardi Trophy and New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick waves during the New England Patriots Super Bowl LI Victory Parade in Boston on Feb. 7, 2017. (Photo by David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)Up Next
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“I’m not going to get into too many specifics but he truly was limited. Participated but truly limited through the week and we were hoping by the time we got to today that we were going to be able to do it,” Lions coach Matt Patricia said on Sunday. “And like I said, it just wasn’t safe to put him in that situation. So the information that we got, talking with the doctors, it wasn’t the right thing to do. Again, I’m more concerned about him more than anything else. He’s got a great family. He’s a great guy.
“So for us, that was a decision that we made and we moved forward and the team, you know, they moved forward with the decision and I think a lot of those guys were trying to fight and do everything they could because they know how tough he is and they know how much it means to him and I think they were trying to do everything we could for him. That’s it.”
Jeff Driskel started at quarterback and said Sunday he learned only a few hours before kickoff that he would replace Stafford.
The Bears beat the Lions 20-13. Driskel threw for 269 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
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