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."