Lions injury report: Matthew Stafford limited in practice, but no plans to shut him down

Due to their two positive COVID-19 tests on Tuesday morning, the Detroit Lions were forced to work virtually. With the shortened week, the Lions were expected to practice today, but COVID had other plans. Still, with Saturday’s game against the Buccaneers looming, they were still required to submit an estimated injury report.

Unsurprisingly, quarterback Matthew Stafford was listed as a limited participant. Interim head coach Darrell Bevell said Stafford was sore after taking a couple hits on Sunday, but his condition is actually better than where he was at last week.

“We’ll basically do the same plan,” Bevell said. “I think he may be a little bit better than he was last week, but again, we’ll just continue to take it day-to-day.”

When asked if the team was considering shutting down the quarterback now that playoff chances were mathematically impossible, Bevell smiled.

“To be honest with you, I don’t think he’ll let that happen,” Bevel said. “These guys are true competitors. I think you saw his statement to you guys after the game. There’s a sense of pride, there’s a sense that you need to be there, you want to be there for your teammates. Obviously to make it clear, we’re not going to put him in a situation where he can have a long-standing injury from this or repercussions from it. But if the guy wants to go out there and compete with his teammates and be there for them, then, I love him for it.”

Frank Ragnow was listed as out for Tuesday’s practice. Per Bevell he will see a specialist on Thursday about his fractured throat, but for now, he is still directed not to speak, which Bevell used to his advantage when calling Ragnow to notify him he’d made the Pro Bowl.

“That was a fun call to make because he can’t talk,” Bevell said. “So I called him on FaceTime, and the second he answered I’m like, ‘Don’t say anything! I just have to talk to you!’”

In other news, Jamie Collins Sr. was listed as out with a new neck injury. But cornerbacks Darryl Roberts and Mike Ford are trending in the right direction, as both are listed as limited for Tuesday.

Here’s a look at the rest of the Lions’ injury report from Tuesday.

OT Tyrell Crosby (ankle) - No practice
WR Kenny Golladay (hip) - No practice
C Frank Ragnow (throat) - No practice
OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai (concussion) - No practice
LB Jamie Collins Sr. (neck) - No practice
CB Darryl Roberts (hip) - Limited *upgrade*
QB Matthew Stafford (rib/thumb) - Limited
OT Taylor Decker (groin) - Limited
CB Mike Ford (foot) - Limited