The Detroit Lions have confirmed they will be without the services of quarterback Matthew Stafford on Thursday for the team’s annual Thanksgiving game.
Additionally, head coach Matt Patricia said that backup quarterback Jeff Driskel is banged up with a sore hamstring.
That leaves Logan Thomas, a tight end who was drafted as a quarterback out of Virginia Tech in 2014 before switching positions. He’s ready to go if called upon on Thursday, and explained what he plans to do should he ultimately be under center.
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“Nothing’s been said to me, but I understand the game plan pretty well,” Thomas said. “I promise you, if I have to go back there I’m going to just sling it and whatever happens, happens.”
“I’ve been the emergency (quarterback) since I converted to tight end, so I’ve always been OK with cadence, I’ve always been OK with taking snaps, just haven’t played the position.”
Thomas traditionally prepares for emergency duty by taking two pre-practice snaps at quarterback.
“Then go back about my business at tight end,” he said.
While a member of the Buffalo Bills, Thomas threw one pass in three years on a fake punt last November that went for a first down; his only other pass came as a rookie while with the Arizona Cardinals.
Head coach Matt Patricia explained that several players joke around about stepping into emergency roles.
“I think we have about seven quarterbacks currently, three on offense, maybe four on defense that also go out there on Fridays and like to show me how far they can throw and how accurate and how good all that stuff is,” Patricia said. “You get everybody coming up being like, ‘Feel good today, Coach.’ I’m like, ‘Great, go run that route, please.’”
The Lions and Bears kick-off Thursday at 12:30 PM.
