Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford returned to practice today but still seems unlikely to start Sunday against Pittsburgh.

Stafford, who missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with a right knee injury, participated in some of the portion of practice that was open to reporters today.

He stretched with his teammates wearing a knee brace. But while his teammates did deep-knee bends and high steps, he pulled on his helmet and jogged lightly to the end zone, where he talked with coordinator of athletic medicine Dean Kleinschmidt, offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and others. He went through some of the drills afterward and without any noticeable problems.

Daunte Culpepper and Drew Stanton took the snaps with the offense that reporters were able to see.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford (knee) missed practice again Thursday and is looking very iffy for Sunday.

Detroit Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford did not take part in some portions of practice today, raising the expectation that he will not play in Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While Lions coach Jim Schwartz said that not practicing Wednesday and today wouldn't necessarily rule out Stafford, it's important for a young quarterback -- or any quarterback for that matter -- to get as many reps as possible to prepare for Pittsburgh's complicated defense.

Stafford suffered a right knee injury in the final quarter of Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears and, on Monday, Schwartz termed Stafford's status as "day to day.''

Lions QB Matthew Stafford (knee) did not practice Wednesday. He has not been ruled out for Sunday, and the Steelers say
they are preparing to face Matthew Stafford. It seems like it would make sense for the Lions to sit Stafford in favor
of Daunte Culpepper against a tough
Pittsburgh team, but the Lions are very close lipped on injuries, and last week Kevin Smith got the nod after looking very iffy
all week.

Even though the Detroit Lions list rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford as day-to-day because of his knee injury, you get the feeling the team will be cautious about his long-term welfare and sit him for a couple of weeks. Stafford's right kneecap popped out of the socket Sunday in a loss to the Chicago Bears. When he was in high school, he suffered a similar injury horsing around with friends. The injury is not believed to be serious, but there is no reason to risk further injury. With a bye week coming in two weeks, it might be safer for the Lions to use Daunte Culpepper and then bring Stafford back after the bye week.

The Detroit Lions publicly are holding out hope that quarterback Matthew Stafford, whom they selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft in April, might be healthy enough to play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

'It's possible,'' Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Monday.

Stafford's right knee was twisted on a sack in the fourth quarter of the Lions' loss Sunday to the Bears, and he immediately grabbed it and screamed in pain on the ground.

''He's day-to-day, and we'll know more Wednesday,'' Schwartz said.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is day-to-day with a knee injury, coach Jim Schwartz said today.

Schwartz declined to comment on reports that Stafford suffered a dislocated kneecap during Sunday's 48-24 loss at Chicago. He said only that Stafford had completed medical testing and the Lions would know more about his status when they resume practicing Wednesday.

Asked whether Stafford needed to practice by Wednesday or Thursday to play Sunday against Pittsburgh, Schwartz said he would not place a deadline on it.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz began his weekly news conference Monday saying he’s even “more ticked off” with his team’s 48-24 loss to the Chicago Bears than he was 24 hours ago. Schwartz is no doubt also less than thrilled his starting quarterback left that game with a knee injury.

Schwartz offered a brief update on the status of injured QB Matthew Stafford, who sources have told NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora is believed to possibly have a dislocated right kneecap. Schwartz refused to say the kneecap was dislocated, but said he considers Stafford “day to day” and he would know more on Wednesday. At this point, Schwartz isn’t ruling Stafford out yet for this week.

Schwartz indicated Stafford had finished testing on the injury, and his availability depends on how the knee responds. He declined to rule that if Stafford didn’t meet practice standards during the week he wouldn’t be allowed to play.

“Every situation is a little bit different. Every position is a little bit different,” Schwartz said. “Quarterback is probably a little bit different than all of these. He’s a young player, he needs more reps, he needs to see things. I wouldn’t want to put that set of rules out there beforehand.”

Lions rookie QB Matthew Stafford suffered what the team’s medical staff believes could be a dislocated right kneecap during Sunday's 48-24 road loss to the Chicago Bears, a league source told NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora.

Veteran backup Daunte Culpepper replaced Stafford at quarterback on the Lions' next possession, and the rookie had his knee wrapped on the sideline. But Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick in the April draft, didn’t seem overly concerned about it.

"If I was feeling a little bit better, they would've let me back in," said Stafford, who threw for 296 yards and one touchdown with one interception in his fourth career NFL start.

The extent of Stafford's injury -- and how much time he could miss, if any -- will be known after further tests are conducted Monday.

The Lions declined to comment when asked if Stafford had suffered a dislocated kneecap. A team spokesperson e-mailed a response that Stafford “was not physically able to finish the game" and that he will have a further update Monday.

How concerned are the Lions regarding QB Matthew Stafford's right knee injury?

President Tom Lewand raced down to the sideline as quickly as possible to check on his $72-million investment. They won't know anything officially until they're done with the battery of tests, but the Lions hope it's nothing more than a mild strain.