Matthew Stafford has dislocation, torn ligaments in middle finger
— -- DETROIT --? Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford suffered a PIP (proximal interphalangeal) joint dislocation and torn ligaments to the middle finger of his throwing hand Sunday and will be required to play the rest of the season with a glove, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
The top of Stafford's finger was bent downward at a 90-degree angle and he had no control over the top part of digit, the source said.
Stafford had the finger taped up, and while the injury would sideline most, Stafford is determined to bring a division title to Detroit and lead the Lions into the playoffs.
But just as? Oakland Raiders?quarterback Derek Carr has been playing with a glove to protect a dislocated finger, Stafford now will have to do the same.
Stafford injured the finger in the first quarter of Sunday's 20-17 win over Chicago when his right hand "clapped hands" with Chicago's Leonard Floyd on a play in which he also was called for intentional grounding.
Stafford went to the sideline after the drive, put a glove on his right hand and then started throwing with the glove. He played with it the rest of the game but said it affected his grip and the velocity on his throws.
"Was just trying to figure out what was the best way to manage it," Stafford said. "You know, the training room guys, the equipment staff, everybody did a great job. Got me all ready to go, and then I just, I haven't thrown with one in a long time. Trying to get the feel back was a little difficult."
Stafford ended up completing 21 of 35 passes for 223 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions and rushed four times for 15 yards, including the winning touchdown.
Stafford also had his first red zone interception since Week 16 of the 2014 season and threw his first interception that was returned for a touchdown this year.
Four of his interceptions this season have come against the Bears. He has three combined against every other team he's faced.
"Just tried to play through it," Stafford said. "Play as good as I could. I let those guys know that it may not be pretty coming in there, but those guys made some great plays for me. Obviously didn't play as well as I can.
"You know, those two turnovers hurt us, but our defense played great. Then we were able to put together a drive late to go win it."
The Lions also got linebacker DeAndre Levy back for the first time since he injured a knee in Week 1. Levy said he knew going into the game that he would play a limited number of snaps, and Lions coach Jim Caldwell said it would "be insane" to play Levy a full complement of snaps since he hasn't played since Week 1.
Levy said his knee felt "all right" Saturday and then "felt better" Sunday morning, so he knew he'd be able to play.
Information from ESPN's Adam Schefter was used in this report.
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