"The Detroit Lions are down to their third option at quarterback for the foreseeable future.

Shaun Hill broke the index finger on his throwing hand in the first half of last week's loss to the Patriots and could miss the remainder of the season, a person familiar with the situation said.

Drew Stanton took first-team reps in practice today and is expected to make his second career start Sunday against the Bears.

Hill played through the injury in the second half against the Patriots but was held out of practice today, with tape on his finger. He was not available for comment in the locker room, and Lions coach Jim Schwartz would not divulge details of Hill's injury nor his status for Sunday's game against the Bears.

"This is an extra day for us … and with the Bears not practicing today, it doesn't make any sense for us to talk about ourselves and who practiced and who didn't," Schwartz said.

Already, the Lions are without starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, who's rehabbing from his second separated right shoulder of the year. Stafford did not throw in front of reporters today, and his timetable for returning is unclear.

Hill will not require surgery on his finger, the person said, but with only five games left, the Lions (2-9) could decide to place him on injured reserve. He broke the same finger in a different spot when he was with the San Francisco 49ers."