Matthew Stafford came back from playing just three games in the 2010 season, to a full slate in 2011. Not only that his statistics were nearly off the charts, becoming one of just four NFL quarterbacks ever to throw for more than 5,000 yards in a season.

Because of that Stafford is nominated for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award which will be one of several awards presented Saturday night at the NFL Awards show. Red carpet preview at 8 p.m. on the NFL Network with the awards show starting at 9 p.m. on NBC.

His competition includes 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith, Cleveland linebacker D’Qwell Jackson and Jets wide receiver Plaxico Burress. (Coming back from an injury is one thing, but coming back from a prison stint?)

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