Detroit Lions mailbag: Did Matthew Stafford really play with broken back?

Summer is just about here, which means it’s time for everyone in the NFL to disappear for a few weeks before training camp begins, myself included. Here’s one final mailbag before I hit the road.

Q. What are your thoughts on the reports that Stafford played the last 4 games with broken bones in his back? — @JHusocki_97

A. Long-time Lions reporter Mike O’Hara, who currently works for the team, casually mentioned that Stafford played through broken bones in his back in an interview this week, and while there’s been no detailed reporting of the injury that limited Stafford late last season, I can tell you that’s been the word on the street for some time.

I asked a couple of high-level Lions front-office members about it back at the Senior Bowl in January and was given the run-around. One said he didn’t know the specifics, just that “it wasn’t good,” and another played the semantics game with me. When I asked if Stafford played with broken or cracked bones in his back — the initial reference I heard, that someone close to Stafford had told others, was “crack” — I was told, “I wouldn’t necessarily call it that.” When I asked what that person would call it, I was told “backs are complicated,” and was referred to Stafford’s agent for more specifics because the Lions don’t comment on injuries.

Stafford’s agent, Tom Condon, wouldn’t reveal the exact nature of the injury, either.

However you term it, whether he broke or fractured or did something else to a bone or vertebrae or process or some other small part of the back, the injury was more severe than the Lions let on, though nothing that put Stafford at undo risk of further injury. I’ve said and written that many times, that Stafford’s injury was painful and contributed to his struggles last season, but it shouldn’t let him completely off the hook for how he played.

Stafford, you’ll recall, missed a scheduled December media session because he was receiving treatment on his back, but it’s not like he was playing great before the injury. There were a lot of factors that went into the Lions’ offensive struggles last season, and Stafford’s back injury definitely was one of them.

Q. What could you do with a broken back — @robpalooza

A. Drive myself to the doctor. Maybe.

Q. You mentioned earlier this offseason that you were unsure about Marvin Jones’ standing/future with the team. Any clarity after OTAs? Do they have enough at WR if they move on? — @FriedrichsJk

A. Marvin Jones’ future with the Lions has been the subject of much speculation since the team shut him down with a knee injury shortly after he took to social media to complain about Lions coach Matt Patricia’s policy of having injured players watch from a suite instead of on the field.

Jones, of course, was dealing with a serious injury that required surgery, but that doesn’t change the fact that he doesn’t seem long for a Patricia-coached team that has moved on from other players who aren’t yes-sir-I’ll-do-whatever-you-say types, most notably Golden Tate.

Jones has two years left on his contract at very reasonable salaries of $6.5 million per season. The Lions would be foolish to move on from him right now. He provides more than most players at his salary, and it’s not like there are suitable replacements out there. 

Jones spent all spring working with the rehab group and I expect him to have a strong season this fall. I can’t imagine the Lions moving on from him at this point, unless we hit October and they’re struggling to keep their head above water. If that happens, all bets are off.

Q. This is a team without an “identity”, they aren’t a tough team, they aren’t a finesse team, they aren’t particularly skilled, how would you describe this team? — @SladeBivins

A. I think they want to be a tough team, hence the focus on running the ball and building through the trenches, and I do think they could develop into that, though we won’t know for sure until the pads come on. The other word Patricia wants associated with this team is “smart.” They do the right thing on the field, they don’t hurt themselves with mistakes. They outcoach and outthink and outexecute their opponents on a weekly basis.

The Lions did some good things in that area last year. Wins over the Patriots and Dolphins really stand out in that respect. But they didn’t do enough of them consistently, and that will be the challenge this fall.

Q. It sounds like the 2nd round pick of Jalani Tavai isn't such a bust after all. It sounds like the Lions knew exactly what he was and what they wanted to do with him. What have you seen? — @dawson144513882 

A. I don’t think anyone called Tavai a bust when he was drafted, and I don’t think anyone should be drawing any conclusions on what he’ll be as a player based on six weeks of spring workouts.

Tavai should be the Lions’ fourth linebacker this fall, someone who can backup all three positions and gives the Lions the flexibility to move players like Jarrad Davis and Christian Jones around. The Lions certainly believe they made the right choice in taking him in Round 2. We’ll find out soon enough if they’re right.

Q. Do you think Joe Dahl has a legit shot at LG? - @bshebib39

A. I don’t think Dahl will be in the mix for a starting job at the end of the day, not after he played a grand total of 49 offensive snaps last season, many in a fullback/hybrid role. Kenny Wiggins is the clear-cut favorite to start at left guard right now, and I suspect Oday Aboushi is the top backup. Maybe Dahl is active on gamedays as the backup interior lineman because of his versatility — he also can play center — but he’ll have to secure a roster spot first.

Q. NFL Blitz or Tecmo Super Bowl? TSB bc it had Barry. - @WWTL14

A. You know I like to end with something light, and this certainly fits the bill. I was a Tecmo guy back in the day, before Madden and College Football came along, so I’ll go with Tecmo as well. I spent plenty of afternoons playing that in my buddy Mike Wolber’s basement, and I’m pretty sure we always fought to be the Raiders because of the unstoppable Bo Jackson.

It's been ages since I picked up a video game controller — kids will do that to you. But if I still had it, I'd break out the Nintendo right now just to play that game again. 

That's it for the mailbag. Enjoy your summer everyone and we’ll see you when the Lions report for training camp in July.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Read more on the Detroit Lions and sign up for our Lions newsletter.