Report: Lions' Stafford to undergo MRI

Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Stafford suffered a right leg injury during the team's last offensive play in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons and will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the damage to both his knee and ankle, NBC Sports reported, citing a source.

The Lions were optimistic, however, that he would be OK to play next weekend against the Denver Broncos.

"It takes a tank to keep him out," the source said.

On a fourth-and-10 at the Falcons' 41-yard line, Stafford rolled left to get away from Atlanta's pass rush, then pulled up and threw a pass intended for tight end Brandon Pettigrew, FOX Sports Detroit reported.

As Stafford watched the flight of the ball that was too far in front of Pettigrew and fell incomplete, Falcons linebacker Curtis Lofton lunged at Stafford and hit him in the calf area.

Stafford's lower leg buckled slightly, and he limped slowly off the field.

Before the game ended, Stafford had his right ankle taped tighter, with the possibility he might return to the action if the defense made a stop to turn the ball back to the offense for a final possession.

That did not occur, and the Falcons ran out the clock to make their record 4-3 and drop the Lions to 5-2 with a second straight loss.

Although Stafford has not played his best ball in the two losses, his presence is vital, and he sounded like he intends to play against Denver.

"A guy just fell on me a little bit awkward," Stafford said. "I'm moving around on [the ankle] OK now. We'll see."

Stafford did not mention that his knee was also an area of concern.