http://www.freep.com/article/20091123/SPORTS01/91123068/1049/rss14 Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford does not have a long-term left shoulder injury, but soreness could keep him out of Thursday’s Thanksgiving game against Green Bay. “I would say if that continued, he’d be unlikely to play,” coach Jim Schwartz said today. “There’s a chance that goes away in the next couple days, but structurally, everything’s good. I don’t think there’s any lasting damage, but he’s extremely sore, as you can expect. We’ll see. You don’t want to close the door on anything.” Stafford was unavailable for comment. But he made his weekly sponsored appearance with Free Press columnist Mitch Albom on WJR-AM (760) and was asked whether he would play against the Packers. “I don’t know,” Stafford said. “We’ll see. I’m in a pretty good amount of pain right now.” Wide receiver Calvin Johnson also could miss Thursday’s game. He was listed on the injury report today with hand and knee injuries. Asked whether Johnson would play, Schwartz said: “We’ll see.” Stafford suffered an AC joint separation or sprain on the second-to-last play of Sunday’s 38-37 victory over Cleveland. The AC joint connects the collarbone to the shoulder blade. He returned to throw the winning touchdown with no time left. A TV replay showed him running off the field, apparently saying, “It’s out.” That has been repeated in the media. But Schwartz said: “A shoulder out means it’s dislocated and it’s hanging. His shoulder wasn’t out. When you do get that AC, it feels that kind of way.” Schwartz said most of the medical tests had come back and showed it was nothing he would label significant. Schwartz usually reserves that word for long-term injuries. Daunte Culpepper is expected to start against the Packers.
This is VERY bad news. The kid is our heart and soul of the team, and Pep's best day's are WAY behind him
I like Stafford, dude has balls. Hopefully he can get back in there and continue to develop. That was one hell of a hit he took.
