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The Detroit Lions were beaten down by the Oakland Raiders 31-20 not just figuratively, but literally. Raiders DE Dave Tollefson followed through on a hit to Lions QB Matthew Stafford after an incomplete pass that injured the quarterback’s left hand.
The hit on Stafford made Detroit fans hold their collective breath as visions of his first two injury plagued NFL seasons were brought back to fruition. Stafford had been labeled with the “Mr. Glass” nickname after his first two years, but Detroit fans had hoped that the page was turned on that part of his career after a stellar 2011 campaign.
Stafford got off to a good start by completing his first six passes until Tollefson of all people knocked down a third down pass. He ultimately finished 8-10 for 68 yards.
Detroit did not play well at all on Saturday and there is a great deal of blame that can go around.
The team had its share of other injuries besides Stafford including:
• RB Kevin Smith injuring his right ankle.
• Starting corner backs Chris Houston (Ankle) and Bill Bentley (Shoulder) had to leave the game.
• RB Mikel Leshoure was banged up after his return to action after a year and a half plus hiatus.
• DT Ndamukong Suh was icing his knee in the second half of the game, but there is no word as of yet if he sustained any type of significant injury.
X-rays to Stafford’s left hand are apparently negative, which should make Lions fans feel a bit better about the trip to Oakland. On a positive note, the team made it out alive and their quarterback lives to fight another day.
Hopefully for Detroit’s sake, things will go better in their last preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.
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