CHICAGO – Quarterback Matthew Stafford has been one of the league's ironmen going on eight years now, but his streak of 136 consecutive starts dating back to the start of the 2012 season will come to an end today against the Bears due to the back injury he suffered last week in Oakland.
Jeff Driskell is likely to start at quarterback for the Lions, with David Blough as the backup.
Driskell made five starts for the Cincinnati Bengals last season, completing 59.7 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and two interceptions. The Lions signed Driskell after he was waived by the Bengals in September.
Stafford was a limited participant in practice Wednesday through Friday, and even told the media Wednesday his back was fine and he wasn't worried about it. Obviously, team doctors were worried about it, and Stafford is missing his first start since the 2011 season.
Stafford's streak of 136 consecutive starts is second only to Philip Rivers (218 starts) among active quarterbacks. It was a streak that lasted more than 3,000 days.
Joining Stafford on Detroit's inactive list today are: Safety Tracy Walker (knee), defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand (ankle), safety Miles Killebrew (concussion), defensive end Romeo Okwara (groin), guard Beau Benzschawel (healthy scratch) and cornerback Michael Jackson (healthy scratch).
The piece of good news for the Lions is that defensive tackle Mike Daniels is active for the first time since injuring his foot Week 3 in Philadelphia. Daniels brings some strength, experience and pass-rushing ability to the center of the Lions' defense.
Daniels sounded motivated to make an impact when talking to reporters after practice Friday.
"If you don't have that feeling, you're not a competitor," he said. "Any player that's had to miss any amount of time, whether it's one game, a quarter, even a series from injury, they feel like, 'Okay, when I get back out here, I got to get rolling.'"
Starting right guard Graham Glasgow will also return to the lineup after missing last week with a back injury.
Of the eight players listed as questionable on Detroit's injury report, Stafford and Okwara are the two who won't suit up.
