The Sports Xchange

Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell said Matthew Stafford, who took a pounding from the Minnesota Vikings, is “very, very sore” and he didn’t know whether the quarterback would be able play this week against the Denver Broncos.

Stafford was sacked just once but Minnesota’s defensive line was in his face all day, hitting him hard and knocking him to the ground in the Lions’ 26-16 loss.

On several occasions, Stafford was seen grimacing and grabbing his left hand and wrist. He didn’t miss a play during the game, but had his ribs and chest X-rayed afterward.

Caldwell gave reporters a limited update Monday on Stafford’s condition for Week 3 in the Lions’ home opener when the Broncos visit Ford Field on Sunday night.

Caldwell wouldn’t commit to Stafford’s availability as the Lions seek their first win of the season.

“We’ll see,” Caldwell said in his Monday news conference. “He’s very, very sore. There’s no question about that. He got hit far too many times.”

In the locker room after his news conference, Stafford declined to answer a question about his availability, according to the Detroit News.

The 27-year-old Stafford has started 66 straight games and hasn’t missed one since 2010.

“He’s sore, I can tell you that,” Caldwell said. “It was a tough day for him yesterday, but we’ll see where he is as the week goes on.”