The NFL's leading passer is dealing with another back injury, but he said Wednesday it won't impact his availability for games.
Matthew Stafford, who leads all quarterbacks with a 312.4 yard-per-game average, was a limited participant in Detroit Lions practice Wednesday with what the team called a "back/hip" injury.
Stafford struggled late last season while playing through a back injury, and the team gave him ample rest during training camp this summer to preserve his body.
Stafford has played every Lions offensive snap so far this fall, and his ironman streak of 136 straight starts is the second longest active streak among quarterbacks in the NFL, but he's been a regular on the injury report since a Week 4 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
"No," Stafford said when asked his latest injury is related to the one that had him listed as questionable for the Chiefs game. "I'm fine. I'll be good to go. I'm not really worried about it. Something different, but I'm totally good."
A limited participant in practice the Friday before the Chiefs game, Stafford has received regular treatment for his injury but has been a full participant in every practice since early October.
The 11-year veteran also dealt with an illness last week that caused him to lose his voice for several days. He was still hoarse on Wednesday.
"I'm fine," he said. "Just a little sick, but so is everybody in Michigan right now."
