Matthew Stafford wants to return this season despite fractured bones in his back.

Stafford's back injury could take up to six weeks to heal.

The Detroit Lions are 3-6-1 and are almost mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.

"This is what I do," Stafford said. "This is what I love to do. I love playing football. I appreciate all the hard work that all the guys in this locker room and in his organization put into going out there and trying to win games on Sunday, and I love being a part of that.

"It's tough for me to sit there without the pads on and not being able to impact the game on the field the way I'm used to doing, so that's driving me to get back out there, and whenever we all deem it's the right time to be back out there, I'll be out there."

Matthew Stafford has been ruled out of Week 10 with fractured bones in his back as doctors won't clear him to play.

Stafford was practicing Friday and throwing 60-yard passes, but doctors wanted him to have further testing on his painful back injury.

Stafford is now considered week-to-week.

The Detroit Lions will start Jeff Driskel with Stafford out.