Matthew Stafford reportedly played last season with broken back

Matthew Stafford experienced a down season last year by his standards, and a significant injury may have had a lot to do with it.

Appearing on his weekly podcast with WJR’s Ken Brown, Detroit Lions writer Mike O’Hara said Stafford had a broken back last year and was playing with broken bones in his back.

“He had a broken back last year,” O’Hara said. “Broken bones in his back.”

Stafford was listed on the injury report with a back injury after taking 11 hits against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13. The Detroit Lions quarterback played through it and did not miss a game — his eighth straight season playing in all 16 games. He faced criticism last season but tried to stay above it and did.

Stafford passed for 3,777, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season. The yards were his lowest mark since 2010 and the touchdowns were his lowest since 2012. On top of his injuries, the Lions also traded away one of his best receiving weapons.