Stafford starting vs. Buccaneers despite hand injury

Matthew Stafford will start for the Detroit Lions in Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The quarterback was listed as active after fighting through an injury to his throwing hand all week.

Stafford left last week's game after suffering the injury. The veteran regularly plays while hurt, however, and reports from practice noted Stafford was throwing the ball well.

The Lions enter the final quarter of the season two games behind the team currently holding the sixth and final playoff spot in the NFC.