Stanton, Hill split practice snaps with Lions' starters

Lions quarterback Drew Stanton took initial snaps with the first-team offense Thursday, one day after Shaun Hill opened with the first-stringers, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz has yet to clarify who will start Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, with both quarterbacks receiving practice time with the team's starting wideouts.

Stanton turned heads with his quick return to practice after injuring his left shoulder during last Sunday's 23-20 overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With victories over the Bucs and Green Bay Packers, Stanton led the Lions to consecutive wins for the first time since the 2007 season.

Hill broke his right index finger Nov. 25 against the New England Patriots and missed the next three games. He's trying to throw passes while protecting his injury with a taped-on splint.

Regular starter Matthew Stafford will miss a seventh consecutive game since aggravating his separated right shoulder.

The Lions (4-10) already have doubled last season's win total. They close the season at Miami and at home against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Lions' Stanton suffers shoulder injury; Schwartz mum on starter

Detroit Lions quarterback Drew Stanton has a separated shoulder, reports the Detroit News, citing a source.

Stanton suffered a Grade 3 separation of the AC Joint in his left shoulder in the second quarter of the Lions' 23-20 win over the Buccaneers. The injury is to his non-throwing shoulder and he played through pain for the remainder of the game Sunday, leading the Lions on the game-winning drive in overtime and finishing with 252 yards and one touchdown.

"Drew showed a lot of toughness out there," coach Jim Schwartz said in his news conference Monday. "He suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter and finished the game with it, played the best game that I've seen him play."

Stanton was backed up by Shaun Hill, who started eight games earlier this season after regular starter Matthew Stafford was injured. Then Hill broke his index finger and was replaced by Stanton, who has started the last three for the Lions.

Hill returned to practice last Wednesday for the first time since injuring his hand. He was impressive in relief of Stafford, throwing for 2,206 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in nine games, eight as a starter.

On Monday, Schwartz gave no indication of who would be under center against the Dolphins, saying he would wait until "probably Sunday" to make a decision.

He even mentioned Stafford as a possibility.

"We'll keep an open mind on all three guys and by the end of the week we'll have a pretty good plan to go forward," Schwartz said. "Drew definitely played well but we have a lot of other considerations."

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Lions stick with Stanton, even as Stafford tests shoulder

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Matthew Stafford is able to throw again, but Drew Stanton remains the Detroit Lions' starting quarterback.

Stafford threw a few 10-yard passes at the start of practice Wednesday, testing an injured right shoulder that has bothered him all season. Stafford has hurt the shoulder twice and has played only one full game this season.

With backup quarterback Shaun Hill also injured, Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Stanton will start for a second consecutive game when the team hosts the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Stanton went 16-of-24 passing for 178 yards and one touchdown in a loss to the Chicago Bears last weekend.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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