Report: Stafford played with broken back in 2018

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford played through a broken back during the 2018 season, team writer Mike O'Hara revealed in a recent episode of the "Ken Brown & Mike O'Hara Podcast."

"He is durable but he does play with injuries," O'Hara said of Stafford. "As it turns out, he had a broken back last year; broken bones in his back."

O'Hara, a contributing columnist for the Lions' website, did not disclose when Stafford suffered the injury. The veteran passer was listed on the injury report with a back injury after a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13, but he still started all 16 games and the extent of his injury was never revealed.

Following the matchup with the Rams, Stafford was limited in practice each of the next three weeks. General manager Bob Quinn said in January that team doctors believed the quarterback could play through his ailment.

The former No. 1 pick took a step back last season and his back injury may have been to blame for his overall play. Over his final four games, Stafford threw three touchdowns and averaged just 173 passing yards.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz also suffered a broken back in 2018, though O'Hara didn't claim Stafford's injury was the same. Wentz was shut down for his team's final three games and was given a three-month timeline for recovery.

- With h/t to MLive.com

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