The Detroit Lions have placed quarterback Jared Goff on the COVID reserve list, with this news coming about 24 hours after the team’s upset win against the Arizona Cardinals.

Related players: David Blough, Tim Boyle

It’s a tough break for Goff and the Lions, with the quarterback playing the best football of his season while leading the team to two wins in three weeks. Goff was the NFC offensive player of the week two games ago and threw for three touchdowns and no interceptions in the team’s win over the Cardinals on Sunday. Boyle started last time Goff had to miss time but Goff still has a chance to test positive leading up to Week 16.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday he wasn’t changing his starting quarterback, sticking with Jared Goff despite his struggles. Now comes word, though, that the Lions might have to start David Blough out of necessity in Week 11.

Goff has an oblique injury that could keep him out Sunday against the Browns, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports.

Related players: Tim Boyle

The story suggested Blough could get the start if Goff can't go, likely because Boyle was recently activated off IR. Keep in mind the Lions will have a quick turnaround and play again on Thanksgiving Thursday after this Sunday.

In his Monday press conference, Dan Campbell was asked directly why Jared Goff should continue as Detroit’s starting quarterback. Campbell, who took over play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn on Sunday, listed several factors for sticking with Goff — including the team’s poor pass protection.

“Well, I think right now, when you think about what we’ve changed after the bye and the fact that we wanted to tinker with a couple of things — and then there, again, I kind of took over the green dot, if you will, there’s a certain way we wanted to go,” Campbell said. “We wanted to take shots early. We took one shot and we didn’t get it. But there’s also pressure in his face when he’s trying to throw it, alright, so that thing comes up and then you end up in one of these games where the weather [affects things] and you realize you’re running it well, you’re going to continue to run it."

Related players: David Blough, Tim Boyle

The team is said to like Boyle and he was recently activated after being on IR with a thumb injury. If Goff is replaced, it seems like Boyle would have the better chance to take over. Blough is also on the roster and has served as the backup most of the season. Goff also got banged up during the Steelers game but was able to continue so this is something to continue to watch. We reported last week via The Athletic, the team is prepared to stick with Goff for the rest of this year and maybe even into 2022.

starting quarterback Jared Goff suffered a strained oblique late in the first quarter.

Goff said he injured his side on an underthrown deep pass to Kalif Raymond one play after Julian Okwara intercepted Steelers starter Mason Rudolph.

Goff had minus-1 yard passing in the first quarter and was 11 for 20 for 54 yards passing in regulation.

He finished 14 of 25 for 114 yards as the Lions and Steelers tied on a rainy day at Heinz Field, 16-16.

Related players: David Blough, Tim Boyle

The Lions felt Goff was OK enough to play through the injury. Goff is backed up by Blough but Boyle recently came off the IR and reports say the Lions do like Boyle. It appears Goff is likely not in the long-term plans for the Lions but reports last week said the team is prepared to ride out Goff for the rest of this year as well as 2022. The numbers were pretty bad against the Steelers, however the problem seems to be Goff is the best option at the moment.

Jared Goff, QB: Not to belabor a point here, but Goff’s March contract extension more or less tied him to the Lions for two seasons (so, 2021 and ‘22). The outs would be Lions GM Brad Holmes finding a trade partner — good luck! — or cutting Goff with a post-June 1 designation next summer, eating $20 million and finding a new starter. In the latter case, a rookie-QB contract or bridge-QB deal plus Goff’s dead money would about equal Goff’s current ‘22 contract.

But all the financial topics ignore that the Lions still trust Goff to help them weather this stretch, however long it lasts.

Related players: David Blough

There's been plenty of talk about the team moving on from Goff and even making a mid-season switch to Blough a few weeks ago, and then again after the team gets off the Week 9 bye heading into Week 10. But based on this story, the team is tied to Goff for the 2022 season as well. The Lions, with a high pick, seem likely to draft a QB next spring.

On Sunday, Campbell called out Jared Goff by name, publicly. On Monday, Campbell said he’s “going to shake things up here a little bit.” On Tuesday, it’s possible that the shakeup will encompass the quarterback position.

Related players: David Blough

The story eluded the team didn't make the trade to get Goff, they made the trade to get the draft picks from the Rams. The story also pointed out a game against the Rams this week, who know Goff well, could mean it's a good time to go with Blough. Those in deeper leagues and superflex should especially pay attention, as we hit a stretch of bye weeks. Blough would likely have his struggles against the Rams defense, however.

Detroit Lions interim head coach Darrell Bevell said Monday the team will likely take the decision to the end of the week whether to play starting quarterback Matthew Stafford after he injured his ribs in Sunday's loss to Green Bay.

Related players: Chase Daniel, David Blough

When asked if Stafford had broken any ribs, Bevell said X-rays came back negative, but he did not have more information on the extent of his injury. While the Lions figure out their quarterback situation, Bevell said backups Daniel and Blough will take more reps this week in practice while Stafford tries to heal.