Stafford says sitting out against Bears was right thing
By: Mike Stiles -
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Matthew Stafford watches the Lions play Chicago (photo courtesy of Charles Rex Arbogast/AP)
(ALLEN PARK) – Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said Monday he wanted to be on the field Sunday but ultimately did what he felt was best for the team in sitting against the Chicago Bears, snapping his 136 game start streak. Stafford is once again dealing with a back injury, although he stressed it is a different injury than one he had last season, which he played through. Lions coach Matt Patricia classified him as day-to-day and week-to-week earlier Monday, something Stafford confirmed. Stafford said he has no interest in shutting it down for the season. The 31 year old quarterback said he knew Saturday he wouldn't start the game but thought he could still dress. Stafford said the decision Sunday would have been whether or not he dressed as an emergency player. He called watching the game Sunday "an odd feeling" and one he hadn't been used to in the past. Stafford said that during the week, he took his typical amount of reps, if not more, and felt good. Stafford has thrown for 2,499 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. In Week 7, he became the fastest quarterback in league history to pass for 40,000 yards.