Lions QB Stafford injures ankle on TD throw in loss

Matthew Stafford’s best throw of the game may have cost the Detroit Lions a chance at another come-from-behind victory.

Stafford injured his right ankle on a 43-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Jones early in the fourth quarter and wasn’t the same quarterback the rest of the way as the Lions lost to the Minnesota Vikings on Thanksgiving, 30-23.

Stafford remained down on the ground for a while after that play. Defensive tackle Tom Johnson had fallen into the back of his legs.

The Lions kicked the extra point instead of going for a 2-point conversion, and coach Jim Caldwell later said Stafford’s injury was part of the reason why. But the Detroit quarterback had some time to walk around on the sideline and didn’t miss an offensive snap.

Stafford completed just 3 of 6 passes for 7 yards, missed a thirddown throw to a wideopen Golden Tate and tossed an interception on his final attempt as the Lions failed to pick up a first down on their two drives after the injury.

Stafford walked into the interview room with a noticeable limp after the game and acknowledged that his ankle was “not 100%.”

But “ticker’s still ticking so I’ll be all right,” Stafford said.

Stafford hasn’t missed a start since the 2010 season, and he’ll have some time to recover before Detroit’s next game, at Baltimore on Dec. 3.

Floyd out for season: Chicago Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd was placed on injured reserve Thursday, ending his season because of a knee injury.

Floyd suffered a right knee injury Sunday in a 27-24 loss at Soldier Field to the Detroit Lions. He was attempting to make a tackle on a running play and collided with teammate Kyle Fuller.

Bears coach John Fox said Floyd suffered medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligament damage but did not tear the anterior cruciate ligament.

Floyd, the ninth overall pick in the 2016 draft, had 41⁄2sacks this season.

The Bears have promoted outside linebacker Howard Jones from their practice squad to take Floyd’s spot on the 53man roster.

Thomas rips Aikman: Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas proved long ago that he’s one of the toughest and best players of this generation.

He’s also not afraid to speak out with strong opinions.

On Twitter Thursday, The former Wisconsin star blasted Fox analyst Troy Aikman during the Vikings-Lions game after Aikman was surprised Dwight Freeney, who played Monday night for the Seahawks but was released and signed with Detroit, wasn’t playing:

“Troy Aikman just expressed surprise that @dwightfreeney isn’t playing today after playing for @Seahawks on Monday night (61hrs ago); only a QB could be so out of touch with what lineman’s bodies go thru during a NFL game. He’s lucky to be able to get out of bed this am.”

Freeney didn’t record a tackle Monday night.