"Daunte Culpepper doesn't deny he was upset on Thanksgiving, when he appeared disgruntled about the Lions coaches' late decision to go with Matthew Stafford as the starting quarterback against Green Bay.

Stafford, the Lions' rookie No. 1 overall pick, didn't practice that week after suffering a separated left shoulder four days earlier in the win over Cleveland. He was officially listed as doubtful for the game, yet still got the starting nod Thursday morning.

Asked if there was a communication issue on gameday, Culepper said Friday, "I mean, clearly it was. But, hey, it is what it is."

And while he declined to talk about his actions before the game -- he briefly sat out a portion of pregame warm-ups before having an animated talk with general manager Martin Mayhew -- Culpepper said he wanted to set the record straight.

"I want to just let you know this: There was no issue between Martin and I," said Culpepper, who'll be the No. 2 quarterback again Sunday at Cincinnati. "That's all I'm going to say. Me and Martin had no problem at all. We didn't argue one bit. It's as simple as that. Anything else, it is what it is. But Martin and I didn't have any problem." "