The band-aid was already ripped off on Sunday morning when both Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter dropped the unfortunate news that Matthew Stafford would miss his first game in nine years. According to Schefter, Stafford has broken bones in his back and doctors refused to clear him for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears. Jeff Driskel is expected to start in Stafford’s place now that he is officially INACTIVE.
Additionally, the Lions will be shorthanded on the defensive line. With Da’Shawn Hand already declared out earlier in the week, defensive end Romeo Okwara joins him on the inactive list after suffering a groin injury midweek.