Lions Fined By NFL for Failing to Properly Report Matthew Stafford’s Injury

Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn were also fined

Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions warms up before the game against the Oakland Raiders at RingCentral Coliseum on November 03, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions warms up before the game against the Oakland Raiders at RingCentral Coliseum on November 03, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The Detroit Lions were fined by the NFL for not properly updating quarterback Matthew Stafford’s injury status ahead of their Nov. 10 game against the Chicago Bears. Stafford had fractured bones in his back and was listed as questionable on the Friday injury report — though his status was never updated to doubtful or out — despite the fact that according to an ESPN report, multiple players were informed by that Saturday that Stafford would be unable to play.

The Lions were fined $75,000 as an organization, while head coach Matt Patricia was fined $25,000 and general manager Bob Quinn received a $10,000 fine. NFL policy states that “if, prior to the team’s arrival at the stadium on game day, an event occurs that causes the club to decide that a player will not start or will not play, the club must update its Game Status Report.”

Stafford has not practiced or played since being scratched from the Nov. 10 lineup, though he maintains that he would like to return at some point in 2019. The Lions have not placed him on injured reserve yet.

“I felt like I was playing really good ball this year and something that was kind of a freak deal that happened, and obviously got to take it in stride and listen to doctors, my body, coaches and figure out what’s best,” Stafford said Wednesday. “But I was having a lot of fun playing when I was out there and wish I could be out there now trying to help us win games.”

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