Detroit Lions activate Matthew Stafford off COVID-19 list

The Detroit Lions have activated Matthew Stafford for Sunday.

At 3-4, it’s been a rough start to the season for Matt Patricia and the Detroit Lions. However, heading into a road game against the 2-5 Minnesota Vikings that could put them back at .500, the Lions received some good news for quarterback Matthew Stafford.

According to team’s official Twitter account, Stafford has been activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

That means, as long as his last test comes up negative again before Sunday’s game at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Lions will have their starting quarterback for a winnable contest.

The Lions should have Matthew Stafford for Sunday’s game

Despite a daunting 0-2 start, the Lions have since won three of their last five games. Though they’re coming off a 41-21 shellacking at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts, things were about to get even worse if Stafford had been unable to play against the Vikings.

Through seven games, Stafford has completed 61.4 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,916 yards and 13 touchdowns to five interceptions. Suffice it to say Detroit desperately needs the 273 yards per game he’s been averaging through the air.

The Lions are still on the outside looking in of the NFC North picture, trailing the Green Bay Packers (6-2) and Chicago Bears (5-3). Oddly enough, though, they’re 3-1 on the road compared to 0-3 at home.

A very winnable road game against the struggling Vikings, with Stafford in at quarterback, could be just what the doctor ordered for a team that’s played some highly frustrating football under Patricia.