By Michael Stets
ALLEN PARK–At Friday morning’s press conference, Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said Matthew Stafford’s throwing hand was “progressing.” When asked if he expected Stafford to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Caldwell answered, “We’ll see.”
But after seeing No.9 spin the ball at practice today, it sure looks like you will see him under center for the Lions at Raymond James Stadium.
Stafford, who injured his hand in last week’s 44-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens after Terrell Suggs accidentally stepped on it, threw the ball with plenty of zip during the open portion of practice on Friday, with tape on his right ring and pinky fingers. He looked solid on deep routes too, throwing a 45-yard rope to wide out Bradley Marquez.
“He has zip on it all the time,” Marquez said when asked about the pass after practice. “He’s looking good.”
Should Stafford start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers–and after seeing him throw on Friday, it’s safe to assume he will–he will be behind the eight combination of offensive linemen for the Lions this season. Right tackle Rick Wagner, who missed his third straight practice on Friday, is not expected to play this Sunday due to the ankle injury he suffered against the Ravens. He was replaced by backup Brian Mihalick in last week’s game. And while guard T.J. Lang returned to practice on Friday, he is still dealing with a foot injury and missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
On if the five starting offensive linemen are expected to play this weekend, Caldwell said, “The likelihood of that is slim, but we’ll see.”
Defensive end Ziggy Ansah returned to practice on Friday after not practicing on Wednesday and Thursday.