Matthew Stafford will make 109th straight start despite hand injury

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was listed as questionable this week due to an injury to his throwing hand. But Stafford’s starting streak will continue in Week 14. He will start his 109th straight game Sunday when the Lions take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

What happened? In the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens last week, Stafford rolled out of the pocket to extend a play. After he launched the ball down the field, he absorbed a huge hit and fell awkwardly on his hand. Stafford immediately stood up clutching his hand in serious pain.

Stafford walked off the field, and Detroit’s medical personnel evaluated him on the sidelines. But he later walked back into the locker room to take an X-Rays on his hands. Stafford finished his outing with 292 passing yards to go along with one touchdown and an interception. Backup quarterback Jake Rudock replaced Stafford for the remainder of the game. The Lions lost big, 44-20.

After the game, Lions head coach Jim Caldwell told NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that the X-Rays came back negative and that Stafford suffered a bruise on his throwing hand.

Stafford was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. He did, however, throw passes in practice with his two fingers taped on Thursday. But that portion of practice wasn’t open for the media.

Stafford threw passes in Friday’s practice, too. And Caldwell told Tim Twentyman that Stafford’s hand injury is progressing and “we’ll see” if he plays against the Buccaneers. Fortunately for the Lions, Stafford is healthy enough to play.

Why is this important? Detroit dodged a major bullet. At 6-6, the Lions sit in second place in the NFC North — and they are still mathematically alive in the NFC playoff hunt. The Lions’ best hope of clinching a playoff spot for the second season in row is if they win out while teams like the Falcons (8-5) and Panthers (8-4) lose a few games.

Detroit is heading into a “must-win” situation against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay (4-8) has been a huge disappointment this season, and quarterback Jameis Winston isn’t living up to expectations. Detroit can walk away with its seventh victory by attacking the Buccaneers’ 31st-ranked pass defense.