Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson could miss Thanksgiving Day game

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson did more than their part to get the team a win Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. But it doesn't appear that one of Stafford's shoulders will be strong enough for him to play on Thanksgiving Day against the Green Bay Packers. Meanwhile, Johnson has hand and knee injuries that have his status for the game up in the air. Head coach Jim Schwartz said Stafford suffered an AC joint separation on the second-to-last play of Sunday's game. The AC joint connects the collarbone to the shoulder blade. Stafford threw the game-winning score with no time left. The TV replay showed him running off the field, apparently saying, "It's out." Schwartz said most of the medical tests have come back and shown it was nothing he would label significant. Schwartz also said that Stafford's shoulder was never "out" or dislocated. He said Stafford is very sore. With just three days to heal, Daunte Culpepper is expected to get the start.
Johnson completed Sunday's game, but just recently returned from a knee injury that kept him out of action for about a month. When asked if Johnson would play on Thursday, Schwartz said, "We'll see.''

Fantasy Analysis:
There is no word if Johnson's knee injury is related to the one that he had earlier this season, but this bears watching; we'll see if he practices later this week. With Stafford, he is coming off a record-setting game for a rookie and has a very nice match-up with the suddenly injury-riddled Packers. However, with that joint separation, he is basically out for Thursday. Plan accordingly.

Source:
Detroit Free Press

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