Dan’s the man: Orlovsky says thumb ‘feels 100%’

BY CARLOS MONARREZ • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • December 12, 2008

Dan is in. Daunte is out. And Drew remains in limbo.

That’s the way the Lions’ quarterback situation shook out Thursday, when coach Rod Marinelli said Dan Orlovsky will start Sunday at Indianapolis after missing the past five games with a thumb injury.

Orlovsky participated in his second straight practice since he suffered two fractures and a torn ligament in his right thumb Nov. 2 at Chicago.

“My thumb feels 100%,” Orlovsky said. “I don’t have any ill effects from the past injury. … No pain, no soreness, no grip problem. I feel perfectly fine.”

Daunte Culpepper, who started the past five games and suffered an injured right shoulder during a throw late in Sunday’s game against Minnesota, did not practice for a second straight day. Marinelli said Culpepper almost certainly was out against the Colts.

That left Marinelli with the decision of starting Orlovsky or Drew Stanton, who suffered a concussion Nov. 23 against Tampa Bay but otherwise is healthy.

“I just think the guy’s got four starts under his belt,” Marinelli said of Orlovsky. “He’s been there, and he’s done it. I think he gives us a good chance to win.”

Orlovsky took almost all the snaps with the first team. He did not wear a protective device on his hand.

“I was anticipating waking up and it’d be pretty sore,” Orlovsky said. “I woke up today and it felt pretty well. And we did some more treatment today, and I went out there and practiced today. I didn’t brace it or didn’t tape it up or anything like that, compared to yesterday.”

Orlovsky said Wednesday that he expected to miss some throws because of the effects of the injury. During individual drills Thursday, he whipped his helmet to the ground after one throw.

“It was just missing one certain route I wasn’t happy with,” he said. “Just a frustration thing.”

Several times this season, Orlovsky has expressed his understanding of the fickle nature of his profession. He got his big chance when Jon Kitna was placed on injured reserve after the fourth game. Orlovsky started the next four games and improved steadily until his injury.

Now he gets another chance. He said he thought as recently as two weeks ago he might be placed on IR. He’s in a contract year and knows what’s at stake. He knows what a win or even a strong performance might mean, but he is not dwelling on it.

“I’m not thinking about it like that,” he said. “I understand the situation. Just like I got my starts before I got injured, I understand the situation. But I’m just going to go out and play. I’ll be prepared, and I’ll know where to go with the football. And I’m confident that I’ll be able to go and play well and move this team down the field.

“That’ll take care of itself. It’s nothing that concerns my mind.”

CORNERED: Starter Leigh Bodden missed practice with a groin injury, which means the Lions may be down to three cornerbacks, including Dexter Wynn, whom they signed Tuesday. The good news is that Keith Smith (groin) could return after missing four games. Marinelli said Smith did well while being limited during a physical practice. Safety Kalvin Pearson, who has played cornerback, also could be used.

END GAME: Marinelli expressed optimism about the return of defensive end Dewayne White, who has missed the past four games with a calf injury. White’s experience would be highly valuable against the Colts, who disguise plays well.

“It’s easier to see this stuff because there’s maybe subtleties on how this guy sets you,” Marinelli said about the Colts’ offensive linemen. “It’s the subtleties on how this tackle sets. Maybe they’re square, maybe the hips are slightly turned. So you feel that subtlety as you’re getting up the field and then you’ve got to create that in practice. And he’s seen it before. It helps.”

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Contact CARLOS MONARREZ at 313-222-6697 or http://www.freep.com/article/20081212/SPORTS01/812120356