MINNESOTA – Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has left the game in Minnesota for concussion evaluation, the team is reporting. Stafford, who was only cleared to play in this game this morning due to COVID-19 protocols, left the after he was sacked early in the fourth quarter.
The Associated Press reported that officials sent Stafford to the sideline when he was slow to get up after being taken down by Eric Wilson and Armon Watts, as they felt he needed further evaluation.
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Backup quarterback Chase Daniel took over for the Lions before Stafford was eventually escorted to the locker room by two of the team’s doctors.
The experienced quarterback was mostly inactive this week, as he wasn’t allowed to be around the squad during practice and was only released from the COVID-19/reserve list this Sunday morning before the game.
After making an impressive start in the first first half, Stafford was intercepted on consecutive possessions in the third quarter. He was first picked off at the Minnesota Vikings 12 and again in the end zone.
He ended 23 of 32 for 211 yards, one touchdown and the two costly interceptions.
“The week was obviously a different one, a little bit of a stressful one,” said Stafford, who had to focus on doing thing virtually during the training week. “No excuse, got to come out and play better.”
“Mentally, just trying to be in every meeting I could be,” Stafford added after the game. “Our video department and coaches did an awesome job making sure I was able to get in all those and be a part of it.
“Obviously, Chase … did an outstanding job preparing the guys. They were the guys out there in practice getting the reps and they did a nice job. I was just trying to do my part to make sure I was mentally and physically ready to go.”
The Vikings (3-5, 1-3 Home) defeated the Lions (3-5, 3-2 Away) 34-20.
“Just mistakes,” Stafford admitted about his interceptions. “I felt like I was playing at a pretty good clip there for a little bit. Obviously, some throws I’d like back. The two interceptions were bad decisions. The first one was a bad decision. The second one, just a poor throw, probably got to throw it higher.”
Kirk Cousins finished 13 of 20 for 220 yards and three touchdowns for Minnesota, while Dalvin Cook rushed 22 times for 206 yards and two scores in the win for the Vikings.
