Matthew Stafford Expects To Be Ready Week 1 Despite Broken Blood Vessel In Hand

Matthew Stafford On Hand Injury: 'It's Fine'

Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford says his hand feels fine and he is ready to go if needed in the Lions preseason game against the Bills on Thursday, after being injured in the Lions' game against the Oakland Raiders on Aug. 25.

Stafford's left hand was crushed by Raiders DL Dave Tollefson, but he just suffered a broken blood vessel and returned to practice on Monday. In a radio interview with Valenti and Foster on WXYT in Detroit, Stafford was asked about his hand and put any remaining concerns to bed.

"It’s fine now. It feels great. Trainers did a great job getting the swelling out of there so I’m ready to go if need be on Thursday."

The Lions have yet to announce if Stafford will see the field in the Lions' preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, but he will be ready for the regular season opener.

For more on Matthew Stafford and the Lions; check out Pride of Detroit and SB Nation Detroit.

Matthew Stafford Broke Blood Vessel In Hand; Expects To Be Ready Week 1

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford broke a blood vessel in his non-throwing hand in the second quarter of Saturday's preseason game vs. the Oakland Raiders, but he is not expected to miss the start of the regular season.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford broke a blood vessel in his left hand but still expects to be ready for Detroit's regular-season opener.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 27, 2012

Stafford injured his hand when it collided with the helmet of Raiders defensive lineman Dave Tollefson. Stafford was taken to the sideline, where he was examined by Detroit's staff and given ice for the hand.

In 2011, Stafford was third in the NFL in passing with 314.9 yards per game. He also finished third in touchdowns with 41.

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Matthew Stafford Is Fine After Minor Hand Injury

As expected the injury suffered by Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is not serious and he is expected to be fine. Stafford told reporters after the game that he was OK and could have finished the game. The Lions obviously preferred to take a cautious approach and remove him from the game early in the second quarter.

Stafford's injury came when he was attempting a pass and his left hand collided with a Raider helmet. He was taken to the sidelines where the Lions training staff examined him and put an ice pack on his hand.

Head coach Jim Schwartz said at halftime that Stafford was expected to be fine.

Stafford played all 16 games last season but has had injury issues in the past which is why Lions fans were holding their breath when he suffered the minor injury.

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Matthew Stafford's Injury Doesn't Appear To Be Serious

The Detroit Lions appear to have dodged a bullet with Matthew Stafford's latest injury. Head coach Jim Schwartz acknowledged at halftime that Stafford "got his hand banged up" but that he thinks he's OK fater leaving Saturday night's game early in the second quarter with an apparent injury to his non-throwing hand.

Stafford's left hand collided with a Raider helmet on 3rd-and-2 and headed towards the bench where he was surrounded by members of the Lions medical staff. He applied ice to his hand but did not return.

Stafford's had a history of injury so this is obviously concerning. He played last year with an injury to his throwing hand so it doesn't appear to be anything that will keep him out of any games.

For more on Matthew Stafford and the Lions, please be sure to check out our blog Pride Of Detroit and SB Nation Detroit, along with our Football Hub and SBNation.com.

Matthew Stafford Injury: Lions QB Leaves Game After Hurting Left Hand

The Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford left his game against the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter with an apparent left hand injury.

Stafford was injured when his hand collided with a Raiders helmet.

The 24-year-old has had some injury problems in the past despite playing a full slate of 16 games last season. In the two prior campaigns, the Georgia product missed six games in 2009 and all but three in 2010.

Losing Stafford for any amount of time would obviously be a huge blow to their chances. Detroit is of course in the extremely difficult NFL North with the likes of the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears.

Stafford is one of only five quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for 5,000 yards in a season. He accomplished that feat last year when he amassed 5,038.

For more on Matthew Stafford and the Lions, please be sure to check out our blog Pride Of Detroit and SB Nation Detroit, along with our Football Hub and SBNation.com.