Matthew Stafford injury: Lions QB back at practice on Thursday

Matthew Stafford injury: Lions QB on track to play Week 4

After missing practice on Wednesday, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was back on the practice field Thursday, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

Matthew Stafford back at practice today. Obviously on track to play in Sunday's #Lions-#Vikings game

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 27, 2012

Stafford was replaced by Shaun Hill for the last few drives of the Lions' 44-41 overtime loss to the Titans last Sunday. It wasn't immediately apparent what kind of injury Stafford sustained, but an MRI revealed that he had a hamstring injury. He's expected to play against the Vikings as long as the injury isn't reaggravated in practice.

Stafford is off to a bit of a disappointing start to this year, as he has more interceptions (4) than touchdowns (3). However, he's completing nearly 70% of his passes. A prolonged hamstring issue for Stafford would be a huge blow to the Lions' playoff chances, which are already in trouble after a 1-2 start.

Matthew Stafford quiet about details of leg injury

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford refused to give many details about his leg injury to reporters after sitting out Wednesday's practice, Anwar S. Richardson of MLive reports. Shaun Hill was taking the first-team reps on Wednesday while Stafford sat on the sideline with his upper right thigh wrapped.

Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Stafford didn't offer much about his status:

I'm getting better. I feel better today than I did on Sunday. Just taking it day-by-day. Just trying to get better.

Last Sunday, Stafford left Detroit's game against the Tennessee Titans with an upper right leg injury. Hill took over and led the Lions to two touchdowns in the final 18 seconds of the game, including a 46-yard hail mary pass as time expired, to put the game into overtime, where Detroit ultimately lost 44-41.

After his breakout performance in 2011, Stafford hasn't been nearly as prolific from a statistical perspective in 2012. Over the first three weeks of the season, he's completed 69 percent of his passes for 863 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions.

Matthew Stafford injury: No Wednesday practice for Lions QB

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford -- who is dealing with the effects of a leg injury that he aggravated last Sunday against the Tennessee Titans -- did not practice with the team on Wednesday. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Stafford did not limp or look injured as he left the team's practice facility, but his status for this week's game against the Minnesota Vikings is still up in the air.

Stafford left last Sunday's loss to the Titans late in the fourth quarter after he aggravated a leg injury that he suffered in practice last week. Stafford said on Monday that his leg was "sore" and that he feels like he could play on Sunday. Complicating matters a bit for Detroit is that the team has skidded to a 1-2 start to begin the season and will be playing a divisional opponent this week.

Stafford has dealt with injuries throughout his career, but he appeared in all 16 of Detroit's games in 2011. He has gotten off to a disappointing start in 2012, though, throwing three touchdowns to four interceptions and stumbling to a 83.5 quarterback rating.

Matthew Stafford's Injury Is A Hamstring, According To Report

The status of Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is still up in the air, but according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, he's dealing with a hamstring issue. Florio cites a source and suggests that the expectation is that Stafford should be OK. It wasn't previously known what the nature of the injury was, only that Stafford appeared to hurt his leg and had to leave Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans in the final minutes.

Stafford gave way to Shaun Hill in the final minutes, and it almost resulted in a Lions victory as the backup journeyman threw two touchdowns in the final 18 seconds of regulation to force overtime. One of the touchdowns was a Hail Mary play to wide receiver Titus Young.

The Lions will take on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4, and Stafford's status will likely remain unclear until official injury and practice participation reports start to come out on Wednesday, though it could be in doubt all the way up until game day. Still, whether or not Stafford practices in full at some point this week would be a good indication, given the nature of hamstring injuries.

For more on the Detroit Lions, check out Pride of Detroit. You can also get all of your professional football news over at SB Nation's NFL hub.

Matthew Stafford Injury Update: Lions Unsure Of Week 4 Status

The Detroit Lions are unsure if quarterback Matthew Stafford will be able to play in their Week 4 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings after suffering a pulled leg muscle in Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.

Stafford injured his leg running after Titans cornerback Alterraun Verner as he returned a fumble 72 yards for a touchdown with 1:16 remaining in the fourth quarter. Stafford was 33-of-42 for 278 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions before leaving the game.

Stafford's latest injury is only one of many that have hampered his four-year NFL career. Stafford played in a total of 13 games through his first two NFL seasons, as he was limited by multiple shoulder injuries. 2011 was Stafford's first full season.

If Stafford is indeed unable to play Sunday, the Lions must turn to backup Shaun Hill, who led Detroit's remarkable comeback at the end of regulation against the Titans in Week 3. Hill threw for two touchdowns in under 90 seconds, including a completed Hail Mary at the end of regulation. Hill finished 10-of-13 for 172 yards and two touchdowns.

Be sure to visit Pride of Detroit for full Detroit Lions coverage, and head over to SB Nation's NFL hub for more news and analysis from around the league.

Matt Stafford Injury: Lions QB Will Have MRI On Leg

After leaving in the fourth quarter of Sunday's thrilling 44-41 loss to the Titans, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford informed Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press that he expects to have an MRI on his injured leg this week.

The fourth-year quarterback was visibly limping on a 72-yard touchdown return from Titans defensive back Alterraun Verner with just 1:16 remaining in the fourth, a play which then forced the Lions to use backup Shaun Hill for the remainder of the game. Detroit coach Jim Schwartz labeled Stafford's injury as a pulled muscle, but also told the media that Stafford was forced to deal with the injury in practice during the week.

Now at a frustrating 1-2 on the season as their quarterback's status currently hangs in the balance, the Lions need to hope that Stafford's leg will not keep him out of a key divisional game with Minnesota in Week 4. Although a proven veteran like Hill performed admirably in Stafford's absence and could be a decent one-week replacement, the Lions simply cannot afford to play without their talented signal caller at this point in the season.

Be sure to visit Pride of Detroit for full Detroit Lions coverage, and head over to SB Nation's NFL hub for more news and analysis from around the league.

Matthew Stafford Leaves Game With Leg Injury

Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford was taken out of today's game late with a strained leg muscle, caused when Stafford attempted to run down a fumble. In his absence, veteran journeyman Shaun Hill has taken over, and is attemting to lead a late comeback against the Tennessee Titans, after tying the score as the clock expired on a late Hail Mary TD pass to Titus Young.

Prior to the injury Stafford was 22-for-42, passing for 278 yards, and a touchdown. Detroit's offense was playing well, but they struggled on special teams, which led to a large Tennessee lead on two kick returns for touchdowns.

Normally the Lions would be dead to rights without Stafford, but Hill threw two touchdown passes within the final 18 seconds to take the game to overtime, where the two teams currently reside.

We have no update on the severity of Stafford's injury, though it didn't appear to be serious when he left the game.

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