Lions QB Matthew Stafford: Headed to rehab in an hour. Met with Dr. Andrews yesterday. More than happy with where I am in rehab. Getting real close to 100%.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford reported feeling good after throwing a lot on Friday.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz had positive news on Matthew Stafford's recovery from Jan. 21 surgery on his right shoulder. Stafford's shoulder was injured twice last season, limiting him to two starts.

"Matthew's doing great," Schwartz said Tuesday night during an appearance to promote a new television partnership in Metro Detroit. "It'll set him back in the short term. Once we get into training camp . . . he'll be 100 percent."

The Vikings' three division rivals all appear to be set at quarterback, with Rodgers in Green Bay, Jay Cutler in Chicago and Matthew Stafford in Detroit. "We've got to find a quarterback," Vikings HC Leslie Frazier said. "You look at the playoff teams and none of them really have an issue at quarterback, they have their starting quarterback and most likely for years to come. We've got to find us a quarterback that we can build our franchise around, and if we do, it's going to stabilize a lot of things for our team and our organization."

Lions coach Jim Schwartz has a decision to make this week -- start a banged-up third-string quarterback who led the Lions to their first two-game winning streak in three years, or a broken-fingered backup who hasn't played in a month.

Schwartz said Monday he hasn't decided who will get the call for this week's game against the Dolphins.

Shaun Hill, who's made eight starts this year in place of regular starter Matthew Stafford, is still recovering from the broken right index finger he suffered Thanksgiving Day.

Drew Stanton has started the last three games in Hill's place, but Stanton separated his left non-throwing shoulder in Sunday's 23-20 overtime win against Tampa Bay, the Lions' first road victory since 2007.

Schwartz did not name a starting quarterback but said Matthew Stafford (shoulder) and Shaun Hill (finger) are progressing from their injuries. Stafford is not expected to be ready Sunday, but Hill is close to returning.

“The two injured guys are making good progress coming back from their injuries, and I think we’ll just keep an open mind, and we’ll let their bodies dictate what they’re able to do and take a look,” Schwartz said. “And if anybody’s going to be ruled out, we’ll say that on Wednesday, and if they’re not, then we won’t.”

The best-case scenario for Matthew Stafford is to play the final two games, at Miami and then the season-ender against Minnesota at home.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford (right shoulder) threw for reporters Wednesday at practice, but still doesn't have any "mustard" on the throws. Stafford could be targeting a week 15 (ambitious) or 16 (more likely) return. HC Jim Schwartz has named Drew Stanton the starter again this week. Stanton was surprisingly serviceable last week, not turning the ball over and adding a score with his legs.

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said today that his separated right shoulder is feeling better and he plans to begin throwing this week.

"I’m going to try and test it out, probably, on Wednesday and just kind of see how it feels, see how it reacts," Stafford said during his regular appearance on the "Mitch Albom Show" on WJR-AM (760).

Stafford hasn't played since injuring his throwing arm for the second time this year in the fourth quarter of a Nov. 7 loss to the New York Jets. He has attempted just 96 passes this year and played in parts of only three games.

With Matthew Stafford (shoulder) and Shaun Hill (finger) both out, the Lions are forced to start third-string QB Drew Stanton, who may be a better runner than passer. The Lions are the sixth team this season to have used at least three different starting quarterbacks. Against the Dolphins on Nov. 18, the Bears harassed third-stringer Tyler Thigpen with six sacks, including three by Julius Peppers. That will be the plan again this week, but first the Bears will want to eliminate the Lions’ struggling run game with Maurice Morris taking over for banged-up Jahvid Best. The Chicago defense has played well much of the season, but has really been lights-out lately on third down. The Bears have allowed only six conversions in 33 third-down attempts in the past three games.