In case you have not heard by now, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford missed Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears with a fractured back.
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The first report that Stafford could be in real jeopardy of missing Sunday’s game came at about 1 a.m. on Sunday morning. That report, which was tweeted out by Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, was acknowledged by local beat writers but most of them followed up by saying Stafford would probably play.
Well, just after 9 a.m. on Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed that Stafford was not going to play because of a fractured back. The report was a bit of a surprise, especially considering Stafford himself said throughout the week that he would be good to go.
Kelly Stafford (Matthew’s wife) then posted a message to Instagram thanking the team doctors and calling her husband a tough SOB.
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Just prior to kickoff, Lions GM Bob Quinn spoke to reporters and said the decision to make Stafford inactive was made on Sunday morning.
That sentiment was echoed after the game by Lions head coach Matt Patricia, who said he made the decision to deactivate Stafford rather than risking it.
So, what’s the big deal?
Well, Quinn and Patricia both made it pretty clear that the decision to deactivate Stafford came on Sunday morning, but are they telling the truth?
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Following the game, Lions LT Taylor Decker spoke to the media and said he found out on Saturday that Stafford was not going to play.
From Sports Illustrated:
“We found out yesterday. It was kind of a surprise,” Decker said. “For him (Stafford) to not be out there, we know it’s a really serious situation. As much as we want him out there, he wants to be out there with us probably even more. I think it was like 140 starts. The coaches did a really good job. Jeff did a really good job stepping in there on short notice and battling.”
So, Patricia and Quinn say the decision was made on Sunday yet Decker (and other players according to reports) say they knew Stafford was not playing a day earlier.
Heck, there is even a report that says backup quarterback Jeff Driskel, who ended up getting the start, did not know Stafford was going to be inactive until Sunday.
Something is going on here and somebody is lying to Lions fans.
Nation, did Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn get caught in a lie?
