The legend of Matthew Stafford will continue to grow in Detroit, after the Lions quarterback injured his throwing hand yet stayed in the game to lead the team to a come-from-behind 20-17 win against the Bears.
ESPN.com reported Stafford suffered a PIP joint dislocation (proximal interphalangeal joint dislocation) and torn ligaments to the middle finger of his right hand on a play in the first quarter.
Stafford went to the sideline after the series, but returned for the next series wearing a white glove. He later scored the winning touchdown on a 7-yard run late in the fourth quarter.
MORE: Updated playoff picture
Now it appears Stafford will have to wear a glove the rest of the season to protect the injury.
Stafford, who suffered the injury when his hand hit Chicago linebacker Leonard Floyd's hand on an incomplete pass, had the finger taped up before donning the glove. ESPN reported a source says the top of Stafford's finger was bent downward at a 90-degree angle, and he had no control over that part.
A possible source of worry for the Lions: Stafford said the glove affected his grip and velocity.
"Was just trying to figure out what was the best way to manage it," Stafford told reporters afterward, via ESPN. "You know, the training room guys, the equipment staff, everybody did a great job. Got me all ready to go, and then I just, I haven't thrown with one in a long time. Trying to get the feel back was a little difficult."
MORE: Leave Rex Ryan alone
Stafford finished 21 of 35 for 223 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
"Just tried to play through it," Stafford said. "Play as good as I could. I let those guys know that it may not be pretty coming in there, but those guys made some great plays for me. Obviously didn't play as well as I can."
Stafford is having an MVP-caliber season, with 21 touchdown passes and more than 3,200 yards in leading the Lions to 9-4 mark. Whether or not he can remain effective while dealing with the injured hand and wearing a glove will be a big storyline for the red-hot Lions the rest of the way.