Matthew Stafford on playing vs. Panthers: ‘I like my chances’

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford injured the thumb on his throwing hand Sunday against the Washington Football Team after taking a sack that was eventually negated by a roughing the passer penalty. Although Stafford returned to action without missing a play, he told reporters after the game that he needed to get x-rays on his right hand.

Monday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said those x-rays came back negative, but there were still tests Stafford had to clear before the team was comfortable giving him the green light. Later in the day, Lions head coach Matt Patricia declined to give the media an update on Stafford, even choosing not to confirm reports that Stafford’s x-rays were negative.

Thankfully, Stafford himself met with FOX 2’s Dan Miller later in the day and, indeed, confirmed he had not broken his hand.

“I did get some x-rays after the game,” Stafford told Miller. “They were negative. No fractures or breaks in there.”

Throughout his career, Stafford has dealt with several injuries to his throwing hand. In 2011, he played through a broken finger and just four years ago, in the midst of a playoff push, he played with a sprained finger and struggled with that dreaded glove on.

However, the Lions quarterback seems a bit more optimistic about the injury this week, and he doesn’t appear concerned about missing Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.

“(I’ll have a) couple tests throughout the week, but I’m going to do everything I can to be out there,” Stafford said. “I will do what I can, so I like my chances.”