Detroit Lions’ Matthew Stafford misses practice with injured thumb; Kenny Golladay returns

Dave Birkett

| Detroit Free Press

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Matthew Stafford kept his injured right thumb in the hand warmer around his waist for most of the open portion of practice Wednesday. When he took it out, he was wearing a black brace that appeared to cover the lower portion of his palm.

Stafford did not take part in Detroit Lions practice Wednesday, but remains on track to play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

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“We’re just trying to be smart with it,” Lions coach Matt Patricia said before practice. “Obviously, I think we all know how tough Matthew Stafford is, and he’s going to do everything possible — and for the most part, it’s probably me just trying to slow it down through the course of the week. Sometimes he gets out there and gets competitive and likes to do what he knows that he can do. From that standpoint, we’ll take it day-by-day.”

Stafford injured the thumb on his throwing hand late in the first quarter of last week’s win over Washington.

He stayed in the game, completed 24 of 33 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns, and led the Lions on a winning field goal drive in the final 16 seconds.

Stafford said X-rays on his thumb were negative, but NFL Network reported Tuesday that he suffered a partially torn ligament in his hand.

“I’m going to do everything I can to be out there,” Stafford said Monday in his weekly appearance on WJBK-Fox 2. “You know I’m going to do what I can, so I like my chances.”

If Stafford does play Sunday, he could have his No. 1 receiver back in the lineup.

Kenny Golladay returned to practice Wednesday after missing the last two weeks with a hip injury. The Lions are 1-3 without Golladay, and 3-2 with him in the lineup.

Danny Amendola, who left the Washington game with a hip injury, and Marvin Jones did not take part in the individual portion of practice, but Jamal Agnew (ribs) was back.

The Lions listed receiver Mohamed Sanu among their practice squad protections this week, along with defensive lineman Frank Herron and cornerback Dee Virgin. Sanu, who the Lions signed earlier this month, could be elevated to the game day roster if Golladay, Jones, Agnew and/or Amendola cannot play.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.