FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 10/17/2009 11:38pm et

The Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford (knee) will be a game-time decision for Week 6, according to head coach Jim Schwartz. 'We'll lean on our injury report and then we'll make a decision Sunday morning of what we're going to do. I actually will announce our decision Sunday morning.' QB Daunte Culpepper will start if Stafford is unable to play.

The Huddle Take: Culpepper appears in line to get another start for the Lions this week with Stafford looking more like he will not be able to play. Regardless of which quarterback gets the call, the Lions may also be without their top wideout in Calvin Johnson which could hurt the numbers of either one in Week 6.

Posted: 10/9/2009 11:11am et

Tim Twentyman, of The Detroit News, reports Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said he will not necessarily change his play calling if QB Daunte Culpepper starts in Week 5. Linehan said he would call more plays Culpepper were comfortable with during the game.

The Huddle Take: Culpepper has played for Linehan before, when the two were in Minnesota, so there's a comfort level there already. And really, they're going to call "handoff to Kevin Smith" and "throw deep to Calvin Johnson" no matter who's at quarterback.

Posted: 10/8/2009 6:30pm et

The Detroit Free Press reports Detroit Lions QB Daunte Culpepper is expected to start in Week 5. Culpepper may not throw many down the field passes during the game based on his preseason performances.

The Huddle Take: If the flow of the game calls for it, you can believe Culpepper will air it out despite the lack of success he may have had in the preseason.

Posted: 10/4/2009 7:18pm et

SportsTicker reports Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford (knee) twisted his right knee during the team�s Week 4 game. QB Daunte Culpepper replaced Stafford, who will undergo more tests in Detroit.

The Huddle Take: It won't likely be known for a day or two just how bad the 'twisted knee' is, so any Stafford owners should be grabbing Stafford if roster room is available. Detroit is putting up quite a few passing yards, and Culpepper won't be a huge let down fantasy speaking. Stay tuned to the news notes for updates on the injury as we get them.

Posted: 9/9/2009 10:17am et

Carlos Monarrez, of the Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Lions QB Daunte Culpepper issued a statement Tuesday, Sept. 8, in support of head coach Jim Schwartz's decision to start QB Matthew Stafford. "My position is that if you want to be the best you have to beat the best," Culpepper said in the statement. "Coach Schwartz gave me a fair opportunity to compete for the starting job and now the decision has been made that Matt is the best quarterback in Detroit. I support the decision and I am ready to settle into my role. Matt is a great guy and a talented young quarterback. I am confident that he will lead this team to plenty of victories in Detroit for a long time to come. I look forward to helping Matt in that mission in any way that I can this year."

The Huddle Take: Culpepper could have made a fuss, but it was clear Stafford is Detroit's quarterback of the future and they wanted that future to start sooner rather than later. Daunte's familiarity with Scott Linehan's offense provides a nice security blanket for the Lions' rookie signal-caller.

Posted: 9/2/2009 5:23pm et

The Detroit Lions have announced QB Daunte Culpepper will be a game-time decision for the team's final preseason game Thursday, Sept. 3.

The Huddle Take: Daunte apparently hurt his toe tripping over a carpet at his home, and the wound required eight stitches to close. With Drew Stanton also dinged, Matthew Stafford may be forced to play more of the Lions' preseason finale than the team would like. Of course, he could also be dazzling enough that the Lions will have to give him the starting job outright.

Posted: 8/31/2009 4:17pm et

Tom Kowalski, of MLive.com, reports Detroit Lions QB Daunte Culpepper (toe) suffered a minor cut on his toe at this house Saturday, Aug. 29, and his status for the team's final preseason game Thursday, Sept. 3, is uncertain. Culpepper required stitches for the cut, but the injury is not considered serious.

The Huddle Take: Odds are the race between Culpepper and Stafford for the No. 1 spot will come down to the fourth preseason game. Culpepper's toe injury shouldn't have much of an effect on the Lions' decision.

Posted: 8/27/2009 1:09pm et

ESPN speculates Detroit Lions QB Daunte Culpepper will open the season as the team's starting quarterback.

The Huddle Take: The Jets decided to place their faith in a rookie, but apparently the Lions will prefer to go with a veteran. It may be a case of the team feeling Matthew Stafford isn't ready, but it's just as likely they don't want the kid getting killed behind a lousy offensive line this season.

Posted: 8/23/2009 10:12pm et

ESPN reports it appears Detroit Lions QB Daunte Culpepper will enter the regular season as the team's starting quarterback.

The Huddle Take: This should not be a surprise to anyone as Culpepper starting will give the rookie Matt Stafford more time to learn the play book and settle into the Lions offense. One thing is for sure and that is Stafford is the quarterback of the future in Detroit and will likely see more action if the Lions do their annual disappearing act early on.

Posted: 8/21/2009 11:33pm et

Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said rookie QB Matthew Stafford will play into the second quarter during the team's preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. QB Daunte Culpepper will enter the game at that time to replace him.

The Huddle Take: For all practical purposes Stafford and Culpepper are tied in the race to start. This says more about how well Stafford is doing than saying anything negative about Culpepper, who's actually looking better than he has in a few years. It is worth remembering that the Lion's five quarterbacks last year put up better stats combined than Matt Ryan, so whichever one of these guys wins the job should end up as a viable No. 2 QB. This will be Stafford's first run with the starters, so should give everyone a much better idea of where he is in his development.