Daunte Culpepper eager to try again

John Niyo / The Detroit News

Allen Park -- His 2009 debut didn't end well. But veteran Daunte Culpepper figures to get another chance to start -- and prove he's not finished as a No. 1 quarterback in the NFL -- Sunday for Detroit at Green Bay.

Matthew Stafford, sidelined since suffering a partially dislocated right kneecap Oct. 4 at Chicago, missed a second straight day of practice Friday. And while the rookie officially is listed as questionable for Sunday's game -- just like he was a week ago -- Culpepper is expected to get the starting nod again.

As expected, all the key figures, including coach Jim Schwartz, stayed mum about that likelihood Friday.

"I don't know," Culpepper said, when asked if he expected to start. "We're just playing it by ear, and we'll see what happens."

What happened last week in a 28-20 loss to the Steelers was a mix of good and bad. Culpepper threw for 282 yards and a touchdown, rushed for 44 more yards on three scrambles, and converted 11 of 18 third-down situations. But two glaring mistakes by the 11th-year pro -- a first-quarter intentional grounding and a third-quarter interception -- proved costly for the Lions. And a potential tying drive was effectively ended when Culpepper took three consecutive sacks in the final two minutes after a first-and-10 at the Steelers' 21.

"You definitely don't want to falter in a game you had a chance to win," he said. "We learned from it, and we have to move on and get ready for this one."

Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan also was ready to move on this week, bristling at repeated questions about the ugly ending against the Steelers.

"He played a very competitive game and put us in position and moved the ball against a hell of a defense," Linehan said of Culpepper. "He drove the ball -- 60 percent on third downs -- against one of the best defenses in football, so we'd like to see that again. Obviously, we need to eliminate some of the mistakes -- we had some sacks and the interception -- but hopefully he can take another step if he plays."

The Lions likely will be without No. 1 receiver Calvin Johnson, who missed practice this week with a right knee injury. But Johnson missed most of the Steelers game, too, with one catch for 2 yards, leaving midway through the first quarter. Bryant Johnson, Dennis Northcutt and rookie Derrick Williams, along with John Standeford, a final exhibition season cut who was re-signed this week, will be asked to pick up the slack.

"It's an opportunity for certain guys, and guys who have made plays in the past and worked hard to get to this level, they know that," Culpepper said. "When you have an opportunity to go out and make a play, you've got to step up."

D-line hobbled

The Lions likely will be without three starters on the defensive line Sunday -- ends Jason Hunter and Dewayne White and tackle Sammie Hill .

Cliff Avril and Turk McBride should start at end, though the 255-pound McBride played much of the second half against Pittsburgh inside at tackle. Copeland Bryan and linebacker Julian Peterson -- in his expanding hybrid role -- also are in the rotation as pass rushers, while Landon Cohen has started the last two weeks.

Packers pair back

Fresh off a bye week, the Packers should get a boost from the return of left tackle Chad Clifton , out since Week 2, and strong safety Atari Bigby , who hasn't played since suffering a knee injury in the opener. Both are expected to start.

"Chad's been a great player in this league for a long time and having him out there gives me a lot of confidence," said quarterback Aaron Rodgers , who has been sacked 20 times in four games.

Clifton's backup is rookie T.J. Lang (Eastern Michigan), who has played right tackle and guard.

Injury report

• Lions -- Doubtful: DT Sammie Hill (ankle), DE Jason Hunter (ankle), S Ko Simpson (hamstring); Questionable: DE Dewayne White (hamstring), QB Matthew Stafford (knee), WR Calvin Johnson (knee), FB Jerome Felton (shoulder), TE Casey FitzSimmons (thigh), RB Maurice Morris (hip); Probable: DT Grady Jackson (knee), LB Jordon Dizon (foot), T Gosder Cherilus (shoulder), TE Brandon Pettigrew (hamstring), LB Ernie Sims (shoulder).

• Packers -- Out: RB Korey Hall (calf), T Mark Tauscher (knee), RB DeShawn Wynn (knee); Questionable: C Jason Spitz (back), C Scott Wells (hamstring); Probable: S Atari Bigby (knee), T Chad Clifton (ankle), G Daryn Colledge (knee), RB Brandon Jackson (ankle), DE Cullen Jenkins (ankle), DT Ryan Pickett (hip), LB Brady Poppinga (illness), LB Jeremy Thompson (knee).

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