Report: Stafford hopes to play through back injury despite advice to sit

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is being advised by some to sit out Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears due to a back injury, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

Stafford is hoping to play through the pain but will likely be a game-time decision, Schefter adds.

Uncertainty about the veteran quarterback's availability comes on the heels of a week in which he was officially listed as a limited participant for all three team practices.

Stafford has been putting together one of the most productive seasons of his career through eight games, throwing for 2,499 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions.

Detroit would turn to Jeff Driskel under center if Stafford is unavailable for the NFC North clash. The 26-year-old backup, who signed with the Lions in the offseason, tallied six touchdowns and two interceptions while making five starts for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018.