Earlier in the week, news broke that the Detroit Lions were placing Matthew Stafford on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
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Not long after the initial report, it was reported that Stafford had not tested positive himself, but that he came into close contact with somebody who had. Because of NFL/NFLPA protocols, Stafford was not able to be in the Lions team facilities throughout the week, which means he was not able to take reps with his teammates on the field.
But according to a report from Ian Rapoport and Tom Peliserro, Stafford actually did practice this week but it was done virtually and it is pretty amazing.
From NFL.com:
According to sources, Stafford received the Lions’ practice script each morning and participated in every meeting virtually. He was able to watch practice nearly live, thanks to a system that logs video of each play as they happen.
Detroit has video boards that log practice as it happens and players on the field can see their rep instantaneously. Stafford had access to that, as well.
Then, during the Lions’ usual blitz pickup exercise Friday, Stafford’s computer was hooked up to large concert-style PA speakers so he could lead the drill. Still quarantined and watching via Zoom, Stafford called out the protections and checks against whatever defense was dialed up, and the rest of the offense communicated the call as if Stafford were in the indoor practice facility with them.
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Stafford flew to Minneapolis on a private jet and though he is staying in the same hotel as his teammates, he is in his own section and is not allowed to come into contact with anyone until he tests negative one final time on Sunday morning.
If he does test negative this morning, Stafford, who has already been taken off of the reserve/COVID-19 list, will suit up and start vs. the Minnesota Vikings this afternoon.
