Stafford likely for Lions, but Johnson iffy vs. Rams
It appears more and more likely the Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford will return to action Sunday against the Rams – bet on the NFL’s version of the Toilet Bowl on WagerWeb.com.
Stafford, who led the Lions to a 1-3 start but missed losses to the Steelers and Packers, practiced for a second straight Wednesday. He took snaps with the first-team offense and reportedly showed no ill effects from a partially dislocated right kneecap suffered Oct. 4. The Lions were on the bye last week, so that no doubt helped Stafford heal.
The former Georgia star said he didn’t feel restricted at all Wednesday.
“I’m not getting surgery,” he said, laughing off rumors he would need season-ending surgery. “I don’t know where that came from. When I first hurt my knee it’s the first question anybody has, ‘Do I need surgery or not?’ They said no from the jump.”
There was some concern about how Stafford’s knee would react after Tuesday’s workout and whether there would be any swelling. If Stafford doesn’t start, Daunte Culpepper likely will. Culpepper (hamstring injury) also returned to practice Tuesday. But he was awful against Green Bay, completing 6 of 14 passes for 48 yards and one bad interception to defensive end Cullen Jenkins as the Lions were shut out for the first time in eight years.
Meanwhile, star Lions WR Calvin Johnson sat out practice again with a sore knee and his status for Sunday’s game is unknown. He was injured early in the Steeler game and didn’t return before also sitting out the Packer loss. Johnson had his knee in a sleeve and brace, but did some running and pass catching on the sideline Wednesday.
“It feels a lot better in a whole week’s time,” he said. “They gave me a lot of time to get a lot of rehab in and get a lot of improvements, so it feels a lot better since last week. I did a little bit more today. We stepped it up just to see where we’re at. “
Sunday’s game with the Rams is sort of a catch-22. Of course both teams want to win, but the loser surely will have the best chance at the No. 1 overall pick – although the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could have some say about that. The Rams-Lions game should be the lowest-rated NFL game of the season, hands down.
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