Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is recovering from a broken back.
It is Stafford’s second back injury in as many years and there has been a concern from some that his issue could be chronic.
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On Wednesday, Stafford was asked about whether or not he was concerned his back injury could come back after he is recovered.
Stafford said he has no concern about a recurrence of the back injury once he’s healed and the injury hasn’t altered how long he wants to play football. In fact, Stafford said he still wants to play for a long time.
From Detroit Free Press:
“It’s something that was kind of a freak deal that happened and obviously got to take it in stride and listen to the doctors, my body, coaches, everybody, kind of figure out what’s best,” Stafford said Wednesday. “But I was having a lot of fun playing when I was out there, wish I could be out there right now helping us try to win games. It’s just not the case.”
“I want to play for a long time (still),” Stafford said.
“There’s no stigma to it,” Stafford said. “I think just it’s a continued process. It’s something that (Patricia) and I and the doctors were having a bunch of conversations about and trying to figure out what’s best. I appreciate them giving me those options and trying to keep an open mind with it.”
“Anytime you’re injured it’s frustrating, it’s tough. And especially if you’re playing good, and I felt like I was playing good,” Stafford said. “I felt like we had a good thing going and, honestly, really proud of Jeff (Driskel) and Dave, how they’ve stepped in and played, cause we’ve continued to be explosive and score some points and do some of that stuff. So proud of those guys for that.”
As far as a future in coaching goes, a happy wife is a happy life.
“I don’t think Kelly would be having that,” he said, referring to his wife.
But playing soon, he hopes, is.
“Whatever happens is going to be a collaborative decision,” Stafford said. “I’m not smart enough to tell you exactly what’s going on and some of those doctors never played football so it’s kind of a collaborative decision, whatever decision is made and whenever that happens.”