ALLEN PARK -- Starting quarterback Matthew Stafford will play in Thursday night’s final preseason game. He is unsure how long he will be in the game, but seemed certain he will play.

“We want to get out there and keep our rhythm going on offense. I’m assuming a lot of guys that haven’t gotten a chance to play as much in the preseason will play a little bit more. It will be fun to watch those guys,’’ Stafford said.

Coach Jim Schwartz would not confirm that Stafford will see action.

“We’ll see over the next 48 hours,’’ the coach said.

Starters are not expected to see much playing time, they never are in the preseason finale.

Schwartz would not offer his theory of how much to play the starters.

“The theory is we have a game and we play the game. We don’t go to protect players, we have a game scheduled we’re going to play,’’ Schwartz said.

The coach did say that the plan is for Kevin Smith to get more reps. Smith, who was held out of practice on Tuesday, is coming back from knee surgery.

(Follow me on Twitter @paulapasche.)