Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has an appointment with a renowned orthopedic surgeon, Dr. James Andrews.
Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Stafford will have his injured right shoulder evaluated by Andrews on Monday in Alabama.
"He'll go there in the morning and come back in the afternoon," Schwartz told the *Detroit Free Press* on Friday. "It's been a scheduled trip. Dr. Andrews has been in communication with our (medical staff). He has seen all his MRIs and his X-rays but wanted to physically evaluate him after his swelling and soreness went down."
Schwartz said he didn't know if a decision about Stafford's status this season will be made at that time.
Stafford separated his throwing shoulder in Week 1 and missed five games. He has played in just three games this season and aggravated the banged-up right shoulder Sunday against the New York Jets.
"He made these trips the first time he got hurt," Schwartz said about Stafford's appointment with Andrews. "It didn't do a whole lot of good to get him down there to be examined when he was still sore and still swollen. Matt's coming along nicely, and he's to that point that now we're going to get a first-hand look from Dr. Andrews.
"But Dr. Andrews has already seen all the testing and everything else and evaluated him the first time, so he has good perspective of where he is the first time and now. And then last year, too. Different shoulder, but last year also. I mean, (Stafford) could buy an apartment down there."
Shaun Hill is expected to start Sunday at Buffalo, where the Lions hope to avoid an NFL-record 25th consecutive setback on the road.
Stafford was out of six games last season because of injuries after being drafted No. 1 overall.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
