ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz has made one thing clear from the start of his short tenure: He isn't going to help the opposition write its game plan.
2009 Statistics
Passer Rating: 65.5
Passing Yards: 894
TD/INT: 3/6
This week, that means a complete shutdown on news about rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford's injured right knee and his status for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"I'll announce a starting quarterback on Sunday," Schwartz said after Friday's practice. "There's still a lot of time between now and the game, and we'll have to see how things go."
Stafford injured his knee during last weekend's lopsided loss to the Chicago Bears, but neither he nor the team will confirm reports he sustained a dislocated kneecap that quickly returned into place.
Stafford, the first overall pick in April's draft, missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, but saw limited action in Friday's individual drills. Schwartz wouldn't comment on how much work Stafford did in team drills, which are closed to the media, and Stafford declined to speak to the media.
"You saw what he did at the start, and all I'll say beyond that is that his arrow is trending up," Schwartz said.
"I don't know what the status of our starter is, so I don't know if I'm playing or not," Culpepper said. "I'm preparing like I'm playing, but I do that every week. The only difference this week is that I've gotten a few more reps with Matthew on the sidelines."
Culpepper has been hoping for another shot at a starting job, either in Detroit or elsewhere, and knows a good outing against the Super Bowl champions can only help.
"If I get to play, it will be a great opportunity for me," Culpepper said. "They've got a great defense that can give you so many different looks that you will have to be on the top of your game to beat them."
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
