Matthew Stafford Re-Aggravates Injury

Considering the state of the Lions' offensive line -- and defense, really -- one of their goals for this season with rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford should be to make it through the season with his body still intact. He's been battered all year long, and Sunday's 23-13 loss to Cincinnati was no different.

Late in the game, after letting go a pass, Stafford was banged down on his left shoulder -- which he had separated November 22 against the Browns. He was visibly in pain and had to leave the game. The Lions scored late with Daunte Culpepper at the helm, but it was a meaningless drive as the game was already more or less over.

After the game, Stafford told the Detroit Free Press that his shoulder felt about the same as it did when he initially injured it.

Asked if he needed to think about resting, Stafford said: "It's something that I'm going to have to think about, yeah. Who knows? I may be playing next week. I may not. I have no idea right now, to tell you the truth."

It's admirable that Stafford wants to keep going out and trying to improve with his still-rebuilding team, but let's be realistic here -- the Lions are now 2-10, and they have other areas of their team that need improvement. Stafford appears to be legitimate as their quarterback of the future. What possible good could come out of running him out there against the hard-hitting Ravens' defense next week?

If there's even a question as to the health of Stafford, the Lions should be careful and sit him. They are building toward the future, not playing for a few meaningless 2009 wins.