Rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford underwent minor surgery on his left knee on Tuesday in Birmingham, Ala. A Lions team spokesman said everything went as expected.

Stafford had injured the knee on Oct. 4 late in the game at Chicago. After sitting out two games, he was back on the field and able to play through the discomfort.  When coach Jim Schwartz announced last week that Stafford would have the surgery to clean out some irritants and debris, he said Stafford was expected to be able to walk out of the operating room.

After it was determined that Stafford’s separated left shoulder would keep him out of this Sunday’s finale against the Bears, he was placed on injured reserve and surgery was scheduled.

On Monday, Schwartz did not reveal whether Drew Stanton or Daunte Culpepper will get the start against the Bears.
— PAULA PASCHE