Detroit Lions rookie quarterback 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. 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 Lions lost QB Matthew Stafford with a right knee injury during the fourth quarter against the Bears. Stafford didn’t return and was replaced by veteran QB Daunte Culpepper. Lions coach Jim Schwartz confirmed that Stafford twisted his left knee. “If he was healthy enough, he would have gone back into the game,” Schwartz said.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford left Sunday's 48-24 loss to the Chicago Bears with a right knee injury.

Facing a 3rd-and-6 at the Chicago six-yard line in the fourth quarter, Stafford was sacked by Adewale Ogunleye and had his leg twisted on the play.

Stafford was replaced under center by Daunte Culpepper.

Stafford went 24-for-36 with 296 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the 1-3 Lions.

It was announced after the game that he will have tests done on the knee in Detroit.

- The Washington Redskins are hurting on both sides of the ball as running back Clinton Portis and defensive end Albert Haynesworth sat out Wednesday's practice with injuries suffered during Sunday's crushing loss to the Detroit Lions.

Portis suffered a calf injury that kept him out of the final stages of Washington's 19-14 defeat on Sunday. Head coach Jim Zorn indicated after the game that Portis was kicked in the calf. Portis came into the game already questionable dealing with soreness in his ankles.

Haynesworth is dealing with a strained glute muscle, according to Zorn. He had to be helped onto a cart by teammates and was taken into the locker room during the second quarter of Sunday's game after sacking Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford. He was able to return in the second half.

Also sitting out practice Wednesday for the Redskins were cornerback Carlos Rogers (ankle) and fullback Mike Sellers (thigh).

Lions coach Jim Schwartz isn't about to second-guess passing over Mark Sanchez in the draft and Daunte Culpepper in the quarterback competition.

In his news conference Monday, he stood by the decisions to draft Matthew Stafford first overall and to start him immediately.

"He's our quarterback," Schwartz said. "We're pleased with him. He's going to be a very good quarterback in this league, and we're going to win with him."

The Jets drafted Sanchez fifth overall. He's 2-0, with two touchdowns, one interception and a 91.3 passer rating, 10th best in the NFL through Sunday.

Stafford is 0-2, with one TD, five picks and a 40.5 passer rating. He was tied with the Panthers' Jake Delhomme for most interceptions and ranked last in passer rating through Sunday.

With a rookie at QB, sophomore RB will be relied on heavily.

Kevin Smith's role in the Lions' offense got immeasurably more significant when rookie Matthew Stafford was named starting QB.

Not that he wasn't going to be important anyway, but there's nothing more valuable to a rookie QB in the NFL than having a reliable RB -- a guy that can handle some of the load and shoulder some of the pressure. Just ask Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco.

Ryan was the first QB taken in last year's Draft and started right away for the Falcons. Flacco, as a rookie, beat out incumbent Kyle Boller for the starting spot with the Ravens. Both led their teams to the playoffs and both had one thing in common: the support of an excellent rushing attack. The Falcons ranked second in rushing, the Ravens fourth.

Smith rushed for 976 yards in 2008, fourth-best among NFL rookies, with eight touchdowns. But those numbers have to be better if he's going to help shoulder some of the burden from Stafford.

Daunte Culpepper made his feelings known today when he prepared a statement that he asked the team's public relations department to release. According to a club source, the words all belong to Culpepper - this was not a PR-generated testimonial:

"Now that the debate is over and the decision has been made regarding the starting quarterback in Detroit, I would like to make the following statement today so that tomorrow I can put all of my energy into helping our team prepare for our opponent.

"The reason I agreed to restructure my contract in order to stay in Detroit was because I knew that I would have a chance to have a full off-season for the first time in over three years. I also knew that I would have an opportunity to finally compete against whoever the Lions brought in whether via free agency, trade or the draft. When the Lions selected Matthew Stafford first overall I was excited. My position is that if you want to be the best you have to beat the best. Coach (Jim) Schwartz gave me a fair opportunity to compete for the starting job and now the decision has been made that Matt is the best quarterback in Detroit. I support the decision and I am ready to settle into my role. Matt is a great guy and a talented young quarterback. I am confident that he will lead this team to plenty of victories in Detroit for a long time to come. I look forward to helping Matt in that mission in any way that I can this year. My role as his back-up is not to be seen unless needed and not to be heard from unless required. The Lions organization has treated me with respect and class and they can expect the same from me."

Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, will start at quarterback in the Lions’ season opener Sunday at New Orleans.

Coach Jim Schwartz made the announcement to the team and media today at Lions headquarters. Stafford beat out rejuvenated veteran Daunte Culpepper for the job.

Schwartz made it clear that he is willing to ride the rapids with the rookie. He also said this was about giving the Lions the best chance to win Sunday, not just about developing Stafford for the future.

“This isn’t an experiment,” Schwartz said. “This isn’t an internship. We’re not asking him to go out there and practice. He’s out there to win, and that’s the bottom line in this league.”

This week, the question Lions fans have been asking since April's NFL draft will be answered: Who will start at quarterback in Sunday's season opener at New Orleans?

Will it be No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford or rejuvenated three-time Pro Bowler Daunte Culpepper?

Coach Jim Schwartz has protected the identity of the starter and said he could wait until Friday to make an announcement. There could be some indication Wednesday when the quarterbacks' practice time is allocated among the first-string offense.

Stafford has made impressive throws but also threw an interception in each of his four exhibition games. Culpepper missed the final exhibition while nursing a cut foot, but Schwartz said that would not affect his evaluation and that Culpepper would be ready to practice today.

Matthew Stafford continued his inconsistent preseason play, even with his competition, veteran Daunte Culpepper, out with an injury. With a foot in the end zone on Detroit's first possession, Stafford looked off a defender and threw a bullet to WR Calvin Johnson for a 37-yard gain on third-and-10. Three plays later, Stafford hit Johnson for a 34-yard touchdown, but the score was nullified by offsetting penalties. On the second drive, Stafford threw an interception while trying to squeeze the ball into coverage. Stafford left in the second quarter without producing a scoring drive -- not good for someone aiming for the starting QB job.