Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was unable to play in his team’s Sunday loss to the Chicago Bears, snapping one of the longest streaks in the NFL.
Stafford, who started 136 consecutive games for the Lions as quarterback, a streak which dated back to the 2010 season, was not able to extend the impressive streak after discomfort caused by broken bones in his back made it impossible to take the field.
This back injury is a recurring issue for Stafford, but according to team general manager Bob Quinn, he suffered an aggravation of the problem in the team’s loss last Sunday to the Oakland Raiders.
The unfortunate development meant that Jeff Driskel started at quarterback for Detroit, throwing for 269 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Stafford no longer owns the NFL’s second-longest started games streak, behind Philip Rivers’ 228 game streak. The former Georgia Bulldog’s streak, which ended yesterday, goes down as the sixth-longest streak in the history of the league.
It is unknown whether Stafford, a 2014 Pro Bowler, will be able to return to the Lions this season.
The team may opt to allow their star quarterback to fully recover instead of further risking his health.
