Detroit QB placed on IR

DETROIT, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- The Detroit Lions placed quarterback Matthew Stafford on injured reserve Friday, bringing a premature ending to his season for the second straight year.

Stafford, the No. 1 player chosen in the 2009 draft, is suffering from a separated right shoulder he first suffered in a season-opening loss to Chicago. He returned midway through the campaign but aggravated the injury during an overtime loss to the New York Jets in the ninth week of the season and has not played since.

"We were hopeful that he'd be able to come back," Coach Jim Schwartz said. "His rehab has been going good, but when he threw a couple weeks ago he wasn't at the point to keep on throwing."

In his three appearances this season, Stafford completed 57-of-96 passes for 535 yards with six touchdowns and an interception. He suffered an injury to his left shoulder in 2009 that limited him to 10 games in his rookie season.