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Injured Kitna won't play Sunday at Minnesota
John Niyo / The Detroit News
MINNEAPOLIS -- Quarterback Jon Kitna will not play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings after missing practice this week with a back injury.
Backup Dan Orlovsky is expected to make his first career NFL start
for the Lions in Kitna's absence, with Drew Stanton serving as the backup.
The Lions also signed quarterback Drew Henson from their practice squad to be the third quarterback Sunday at the Metrodome. The team waived fullback Moran Morris, two days after he was signed as a free agent, to make room for Henson on the 53-player roster.
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Kitna missed the second half of last week's 34-7 loss to the Chicago Bears after experiencing back spasms. He underwent an MRI exam on Monday and saw a specialist Friday, but the team did not reveal the results of either visit. Kitna declined to comment on his status again Friday -- he didn't speak to the Detroit media all week -- while coach Rod Marinelli said only that he'd likely wait until game day to make a decision.
Orlovsky, a fifth-round draft pick by the Lions in 2005, split the practice reps during the week with Stanton but said he was preparing as if he would be the starter. He also said he got help from Kitna.
"He's been great," said Orlovsky, whose last start -- aside from NFL exhibitions -- came with the University of Connecticut in the 2005 Motor City Bowl at Ford Field. "He has been helping as much as he can, just what to prepare for, what to see, what to look for. His main priority is to be ready himself, but he's always been throwing things in my and Drew's ears."
John Niyo / The Detroit News
MINNEAPOLIS -- Quarterback Jon Kitna will not play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings after missing practice this week with a back injury.
Backup Dan Orlovsky is expected to make his first career NFL start
for the Lions in Kitna's absence, with Drew Stanton serving as the backup. The Lions also signed quarterback Drew Henson from their practice squad to be the third quarterback Sunday at the Metrodome. The team waived fullback Moran Morris, two days after he was signed as a free agent, to make room for Henson on the 53-player roster.
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Kitna missed the second half of last week's 34-7 loss to the Chicago Bears after experiencing back spasms. He underwent an MRI exam on Monday and saw a specialist Friday, but the team did not reveal the results of either visit. Kitna declined to comment on his status again Friday -- he didn't speak to the Detroit media all week -- while coach Rod Marinelli said only that he'd likely wait until game day to make a decision.
Orlovsky, a fifth-round draft pick by the Lions in 2005, split the practice reps during the week with Stanton but said he was preparing as if he would be the starter. He also said he got help from Kitna.
"He's been great," said Orlovsky, whose last start -- aside from NFL exhibitions -- came with the University of Connecticut in the 2005 Motor City Bowl at Ford Field. "He has been helping as much as he can, just what to prepare for, what to see, what to look for. His main priority is to be ready himself, but he's always been throwing things in my and Drew's ears."
