Reports: NFL investigating Lions following Stafford scratch

Stafford was hurt late in the Week 9 loss to the Oakland Raiders, according to
general manager Bob Quinn, and the Lions did list Stafford as limited
throughout the week on the official injury report.

But several players said the team disclosed on Saturday that Stafford wouldn't
play. No official status update was given until Stafford was ruled inactive 90
minutes before kickoff at Soldier Field.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Stafford's injury dates to last season.

It is common for the NFL to investigate injury matters related to the official
injury report and designations that might be viewed as suspicious.
Questionable means the team gives the player a 50-50 chance to play in the
game. Doubtful equates to a 25 percent chance.

"I'm not going to get into too many specifics but he truly was limited.
Participated but truly limited through the week and we were hoping by the time
we got to today that we were going to be able to do it," Lions coach Matt
Patricia said on Sunday. "And like I said, it just wasn't safe to put him in
that situation. So the information that we got, talking with the doctors, it
wasn't the right thing to do. Again, I'm more concerned about him more than
anything else. He's got a great family. He's a great guy.

"So for us, that was a decision that we made and we moved forward and the
team, you know, they moved forward with the decision and I think a lot of
those guys were trying to fight and do everything they could because they know
how tough he is and they know how much it means to him and I think they were
trying to do everything we could for him. That's it."

Jeff Driskel started at quarterback and said Sunday he learned only a few
hours before kickoff that he would replace Stafford.

The Bears beat the Lions 20-13. Driskel threw for 269 yards with one touchdown
and one interception.

--Field Level Media