The Detroit Lions suffered a scare when longtime starting quarterback Matthew Stafford injured his back halfway through the 2019 season.
The former No. 1 pick would go on to miss the final eight games of the campaign with fractured bones in his back. Initially, there was some concern that this might be a long-term injury.
It isn’t.
Stafford held a Q&A with the media on Thursday, indicating that his back is just fine and he’d be able to play if the season started today.
This is no small thing. Despite some trade rumors earlier in the spring, Detroit has committed to the Pro Bowl quarterback over the long term. It made this clear by passing up on a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft last month.
Stafford, 32, has been Detroit’s full-time starter since the team made him the No. 1 overall pick back in 2009. Stafford had started 136 consecutive games since suffering said injury last season. He’s the Lions’ all-time franchise leader in wins (69), passing yards (41,025) and passing touchdowns (256).