Matthew Stafford Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 by Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have placed former Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Detroit Lions have placed former Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

This is the second time this season that Stafford has been on this list, although the first time was a false positive.

The Lions released the following statement:

"This reserve list category was created for a player who either tests positive for COVID-19 or who has been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person or persons. If a player falls into either of these categories, their club is required to immediately place the player on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Per agreed upon NFL-NFLPA policy, clubs are not permitted to comment on player's medical status other than referring to roster status. Clubs may not disclose whether player in quarantine or is positive for COVID-19." 

Update: According to reports, Matthew Stafford tested negative for COVID-19. He has however come in close contact with someone who has tested positive. As long as he continues to test negative throughout the remainder of the week leading up to Sunday’s game, he will be able to play. He’s not allowed, however, to practice with the team or travel with the team. 

What does this mean for the Lions if Stafford can't play?

It opens the door for backup quarterback Chase Daniel to start Sunday against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. Daniel has been around the league since 2010 when he was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the draft. He has bounced around the league, playing for the Saints, Chiefs, Eagles, and most recently with the Chicago Bears. However, he has only started five games in his career and just one game last year with the Bears.

The Lions are just one game ahead of the Vikings in the NFC North, and they can't afford to drop any more divisional games if they want to make a playoff push. The Lions are just two games behind the Green Bay Packers, and they have a head-to-head matchup remaining on the schedule.

If the Lions end up on the edge of the playoffs, this could be a game that everyone points to. However, the playoffs may be expanded this year, which would add another wild-card team to each conference.

If the NFL extends the number of teams in the playoffs to 16, which is currently being discussed, they will not be the first league to make this type of change.

MLB had two teams from each division make the playoffs, and they also allowed for two wild-card teams. This nearly doubled the number of teams that made the playoffs and added several games to the schedule.

While it is too early to know if the NFL will push through the plans for a 16-team playoff format, this is potentially a devastating situation for the Lions, depending on how long Stafford remains on the reserve list.