Signs point to Lions QB Stafford playing vs. Broncos

Jim Caldwell wouldn’t say anything definitive. Matthew Stafford, neither.

But when it comes to reading tea leaves, both the Detroit Lions’ coach and quarterback plus several other players in the locker room gave the distinct impression that Stafford will be on the field for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, bruised ribs and all.

Three days after a barrage of hits left him moving achingly around the locker room, Stafford was back looking and sounding like his normal self.

He said the ribs he injured against the Minnesota Vikings “feel pretty good,” and he took part in the individual portion of practice that was open to reporters Wednesday, throwing passes of all distances during skeleton offensive drills.

“It’s tough to put a number on (how much better I’m feeling) or anything like that,” Stafford said. “Just doing everything I can to make progress and feel as good as I can.”

Stafford declined to say whether he will wear extra padding for his ribs, but he dropped a telling line when asked what precautions he planned to take for his health this week.

“I don’t think any,” Stafford said. “Just go out and play my game.”

The Vikings sacked Stafford once and hit him eight times in a 26-16 win Sunday.

Stafford took every snap in that game, but he finished with a bandage covering his bloody left elbow and another on his thumb, and needed X-rays on his ribs and chest before leaving the stadium.

“He shows (how tough he is) every day, and everybody sees it,” guard Manny Ramirez said. “We respect him even more for that. I know a lot of people that would have actually gone down and probably tapped out. But he doesn’t. He has a lot of passion, he has a lot of respect for the team and also that he’s going to do whatever it takes to stay out there, and we have to take the same mind-set.”

Asked whether he expects Stafford to play Sunday, Ramirez said he has “no doubts.”

Caldwell was less forthcoming.

“Probably not going to give you an evaluation of mine,” he said. “It’s more important what the doctors think than what I think.”

Stafford, who has played 68 straight games since missing most of the 2010 season with two separated shoulders, said it’s important to him to be on the field whenever possible.

If he can’t play Sunday, Dan Orlovsky will start in his place.

“I love playing,” Stafford said. “I love playing football. I love being out there on Sundays. I take pride in being able to get out there no matter how I’m feeling, so we’ll see.”

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