ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) - The season is over for Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has been placed on injured reserve ahead of what the team calls minor right knee surgery.
Coach Jim Schwartz says the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft was to have undergone the surgery after the end of the season. But Stafford was placed on injured reserve Wednesday after a physical exam indicated he wouldn't be ready to play in the Jan. 3 season finale against Chicago.
Third-year quarterback Drew Stanton will make his first NFL start Sunday against the 49ers in San Francisco.
Stafford injured his non-throwing shoulder in Detroit's 38-37 victory over Cleveland on Nov. 22. He aggravated the injury in a Dec. 6 loss at Cincinnati, but Schwartz says Stafford won't need surgery on the shoulder.