Lions: Notebook
Who’s the quarterback for the Lions now?
Culpepper’s status is in question, Orlovsky trying to return and Stanton says he’s ready.
John Niyo / The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK — With the injury status of starting quarterback Daunte Culpepper up in the air — results of an MRI exam on his right shoulder weren’t known Monday — the Lions weren’t sure who would be taking the first-team snaps when practice resumes Wednesday.
Culpepper injured his throwing shoulder on the final series of Sunday’s 20-16 loss to Minnesota, when Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards
came down on his arm while he attempted a Hail Mary pass. Backup Drew Henson came in for the final play of the game.
Dan Orlovsky, who started four games before suffering two fractures and a torn ligament in his right thumb Nov. 2 at Chicago, said he will try to return to practice this week in the hopes of playing Sunday at Indianapolis.
“I thought last week I was probably a week or two away, so we’ll see how it feels this week,” said Orlovsky, who admitted he was having problems with velocity and accuracy on his throws a week ago.
Drew Stanton, who hasn’t played since suffering a concussion Nov. 23 against Tampa Bay, said he’s ready to play, too, if called on.
“I guess part of it will depend on Daunte’s health,” said Stanton, who was the emergency third quarterback Sunday. “But I’ve got no idea, per usual.”
Stanton, who played in relief twice last month but has yet to start an NFL game, returned to practice last week and split the scout-team reps with Henson.
“I feel good,” Stanton said. “My head’s been clear. I’ve felt good for about a week now. I had no problems working out, being able to understand anything. I’m glad to be beyond that.”
Extra points
Marinelli explained cornerback Brian Kelly ’s benching Sunday as a coaches’ decision to play three safeties against the Vikings, though it was nickel back Travis Fisher who started in Kelly’s place. Kelly said he was given the same explanation, but he clearly wasn’t happy with not playing.
“That’s Rod’s answer — that’s not mine,” Kelly said, declining to elaborate.
… The Lions placed linebacker Alex Lewis on injured reserve — he missed the last two games because of a chest injury — and signed linebacker Darnell Bing off their practice squad.
… Asked how the Lions could beat the Colts (9-4) on Sunday, Fisher was frank.
“We’re gonna have to do everything right — everything,” he said. “I mean, the past games when we’ve been embarrassed, we’re gonna have to do everything right or it’s gonna be worse than that. We know that. If you don’t know that, you’re crazy.”