Lions place QB Stafford on COVID-19 list again

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford missed practice Wednesday and has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced.

Stafford is considered a “high-risk, close contact” of a non-team member who tested positive for COVID-19, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Stafford’s last contact with the individual was Monday, which means he would be eligible to come off the reserve/COVID-19 list Sunday and play against the Minnesota Vikings, pending five straight days of negative tests for him.

On Thursday, Lions coach Matt Patricia refused to address Stafford’s game status because he believes that is a comment on his health status. Patricia added that the Lions were ready “in all scenarios” as needed but wouldn’t commit to a starter if Stafford can’t play.

“We have Chase [Daniel] and we have David [Blough] on the roster, and those guys prepare every single week like they are getting ready to go play,” Patricia said.

Stafford joins linebacker Jarrad Davis on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Davis was placed on the list Tuesday. The two cases, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, are not related.

This is Stafford’s second stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Stafford had a false positive test in August, part of the reason the NFL changed its protocols on testing at the time. Stafford’s wife, Kelly, as well as the organization both offered strong statements at the time about the false positive.

Kelly Stafford reacted again on Wednesday, posting to her Instagram story, “Here we go again.” She also said on Instagram on Wednesday and Thursday that her entire family tested negative and appreciated the concern people have expressed.
The Lions have now had two players placed on the list in as many days, after not having a player on the list since the beginning of training camp in August, when Detroit had at least seven players on the list, including receiver Kenny Golladay and tight end T.J. Hockenson.

Before Wednesday’s practice, Patricia said “nobody would not be able to practice because of JD.”

Detroit did not close its Allen Park, Michigan, facility on Wednesday, and Patricia said the team has been in “constant contact with the NFL.”

“There’s no need for us to shut down the facility,” Patricia said. “There’s no need for any of that, as far as our situation. I can’t speak to the future. I think that right now, everybody across the country, especially in Michigan right now, and the cases going up, really no one knows what the next day is going to look like.

“We just have to do the best we can to stay safe today.”

Stafford, 32, has completed 61.4% of his passes this season for 1,916 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions.

The Lions also had four starters — Golladay (hip), offensive tackles Halapoulivaati Vaitai (foot) and Taylor Decker (back) and safety Tracy Walker (foot) — not practice Wednesday, as well as returner Jamal Agnew (ribs). Four other starters — guard Joe Dahl (back), Hockenson (toe), linebacker Christian Jones (knee) and defensive tackle Danny Shelton (wrist) — were limited. Defensive end Trey Flowers was placed on injured reserve Monday.