"Jim Schwartz wouldn't commit to it, but everyone who has watched Matthew Stafford practice the past three days believes he'll start at quarterback Sunday for the Lions against the Broncos.

Stafford suffered a sprained right ankle on the final offensive play in last week's loss to the Falcons and was listed as questionable on the team's official injury report Friday.

But in practice, Stafford was the only quarterback to participate in a skeleton passing drill during the 30-minute portion open to the media, and even Schwartz acknowledged he was moving around the best he has all week.

Stafford was listed as full participation in practice Friday after being limited Wednesday and Thursday.

"He's better today than he was yesterday, and hopefully we can keep him on that track till Sunday," Schwartz said.

So why won't Schwartz name a starter?

"A lot of things can happen between now and Sunday," he said. "I've learned not to make decisions on Fridays. Good and bad things have happened on Fridays or Saturdays."

While Stafford should be on the field in Denver, the Lions will be without running back Jahvid Best for the second straight game because of a concussion."