Dan Orlovsky will start at quarterback Sunday against New Orleans as the Lions try to avoid becoming the first NFL team to start 0-15.

Orlovsky earned the start with his performance in Sunday's 31-21 loss at Indianapolis -- and also because Daunte Culpepper is still suffering from an injured shoulder.

"It's just where we're at right now," coach Rod Marinelli said. "He's questionable and probably not in the mix right now."

Marinelli said he wasn't sure if Culpepper could even practice this week. He declined to speculate whether he would have a decision to make if Culpepper were healthy.

He also declined to name Orlovsky the starter for the rest of the season, leaving his options open for the season finale Dec. 28 at Green Bay, when the Lions could be trying to avoid the first 0-16 season in NFL history. But he praised Orlovsky's intelligence, work ethic and efficiency.

"I think it's always week to week with me, see where we're at," Marinelli said. "He's doing very well and (we're) excited about him."

After the Lions put Jon Kitna on injured reserve with a back injury, Orlovsky made his first four NFL starts. He wasn't flashy, but he turned over the ball only twice and put the Lions in position to win each game.

Still, the Lions signed Culpepper. The day after the sides agreed to terms, Orlovsky suffered his thumb injury at Chicago. Culpepper stepped right in.

But then Culpepper suffered his injury Dec. 7 against Minnesota, and Orlovsky was just ready to return.

He went 23-for-34 for 233 yards and a touchdown against the Colts, with no turnovers. He targeted wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who finished with a career-high nine catches. He said his thumb was fine.

Not that he was thrilled.

"I expect myself to play at a high level," Orlovsky said. "Watching the film, I could have been 28 of 34, 30 of 34. Missed some throws. I didn't play as well as I wanted to."