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The latest update regarding Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford’s status for Sunday’s divisional showdown with the Minnesota Vikings came from a reliable source: his wife, Kelly.
On Thursday, Kelly Stafford used her Instagram to inform her followers that her husband and the rest of her family tested negative for COVID-19. Her post came a day after Stafford was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team after he was exposed to someone who tested positive. If Stafford tests negative for five consecutive days after Monday’s exposure, he will be eligible to play against the Vikings.
“Okay y’all, I appreciate everyone reaching out and giving us well wishes,” Kelly Stafford said in her post. “We are fine. We are all negative (for COVID-19). My husband is negative. There was just a certain exposure. We have all been testing since the exposure.”
Kelly Stafford has managed to be more transparent than the Lions’ head coach, Matt Patricia, who didn’t provide an update on either Stafford’s or Jarrad Davis’ status for Sunday’s game. Davis went onto the COVID reserve list on Tuesday.
"I'm not able to comment on the player's health status beyond just his roster status, which is on the reserve list," Patricia said during his daily video conference on Thursday. "Both (Jarrad Davis) and Stafford are not related situations, and I certainly understand and recognize there are a lot of questions about Matthew and just commenting on his availability for the game would fall in the category of commenting on his health status, which, again, just trying to respect league rules, and also out respect for the player, I can't comment on any of those things other than just again what his status is on the roster."
Sportsbooks Still Have Game Off Board
Once news of Stafford going on the COVID reserve list became public, sportsbooks in Michigan across the country pulled the Lions-Vikings game off the board, meaning Detroit backers and sports betting fans will have to wait to bet on the Lions. The matchup initially opened with the Vikings as 3-point favorites.
“We had Minnesota -3, and we’ll have to look at it now,” DraftKings Director of Operations Johnny Avello said. “We’ll see what kind of adjustment we’ll make. Let’s make sure he’s the only guy on the team with it, so we’ll hold off a little bit.”
The Lions’ 3-4 record is the same as its mark against the spread this year. Detroit has won and covered in its last three road games, while Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is 4-0 against the spread and straight-up versus the Lions since joining the team.
Stafford To Travel To Game
According to the NFL Network, Stafford will travel to the game separate from the rest of the team with a private jet. He continues to take part in virtual team meetings. If Stafford was forced to miss the game, veteran backup Chase Daniel will get the start. Daniel was signed to the team as a free agent during the offseason.
Regardless of who is playing quarterback for the Lions, the team will be without one of their top wide receivers. The NFL Network reported Kenny Golladay will miss Sunday’s game due to a hip injury.
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