"Lions coach Jim Schwartz said he was closer to naming a starting quarterback for Sunday's game at San Francisco, but he gave a strong indication Tuesday that Matthew Stafford was almost entirely out of the mix as he continues to rest his injured left shoulder.

"Let me hold one more day on that," Schwartz said of Stafford's status. "He is improving, he is improving, but most likely not. Let me hold one more day, but most likely not."

If Stafford is out, that leaves Daunte Culpepper and Drew Stanton, who played the first and second halves, respectively, Sunday against Arizona. Schwartz is expected to tell the players by Wednesday who will start. He said the decision has involved just about every facet of the game, as it does when making any personnel decisions."