The Lions announced Wednesday that quarterback Matthew Stafford was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, but there’s still a chance he will be able to play this weekend.
Stafford is considered a “high-risk, close contact” from a non-team member, according to ESPN. Stafford’s last contact with the individual took place Monday, which means he would fulfill the NFL’s mandatory five-day isolation before Sunday’s game in Minnesota. Stafford would also have to receive consecutive negative tests in order to come off the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
Stafford missed practice Wednesday for the first time this season, and it came a day after the Lions placed linebacker Jarrad Davis on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Head coach Matt Patricia told reporters prior to practice that Stafford’s absence was not related to Davis’ coronavirus case.
This is Stafford’s second stint on the Reserved/COVID-19 list after he received a false positive during training camp. The mistake caused the NFL to review its policies — and drew a stern reaction from Stafford’s wife, Kelly.
Stafford is the ninth Lion to go on the list this season, joining Davis, T.J. Hockenson, Kenny Golladay, Amani Oruwariye, Justin Coleman Isaac Nauta, Arryn Siposs and Jalen Elliott.
The 3-4 Lions can’t afford to lose their starting quarterback at this point in the season. Sitting in third in a tight NFC North, Detroit travels to Minnesota for the first of four games against sub-.500 teams that the team knows they need to win in order to stay in playoff contention.
Should Stafford be unavailable Sunday, the Lions likely will turn to the backup Chase Daniel.
