The Lions got a jumpstart on the off-season this week, claiming wide receiver Chris Hannon off waivers from Miami and signing offensive lineman Junius Coston. To make room for them on the roster, they put guard Edwin Mulitalo (ankle) and linebacker Jordon Dizon (hamstring) on injured reserve.
Hannon and Coston aren't expected to play Sunday. They are expected to go through the off-season and compete for roster spots next year.
PLAYER NOTES
--QB Daunte Culpepper (shoulder) did not practice Tuesday and Wednesday. He will not play Sunday at Green Bay.
--DT Chuck Darby (calf) did not practice Tuesday and Wednesday. He is expected to play Sunday, though.
--CB Travis Fisher (concussion) did not practice Tuesday and Wednesday, but the Lions will see how he feels Friday.
-- DE Corey Smith (hamstring) did not practice Tuesday and Wednesday.
-- DE Dewayne White (calf) did not practice Tuesday and Wednesday. But he is expected to play.
--WR Calvin Johnson (knee) was limited Tuesday and Wednesday. He will play.
--LB Ernie Sims (knee) was limited Tuesday and Wednesday. He will play.
--RB Kevin Smith (ankle) was limited Tuesday and Wednesday. He will play.
GAME PLAN: The Lions need time of possession and points, to keep the opposing offense off the field and keep pace on the scoreboard. That has been the game plan for weeks now; the Lions need to finally execute it. The Lions' best chance is to run the ball well and pick their spots for big plays with wide receiver Calvin Johnson. On defense, they must find a way to keep quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the pocket and keep him from picking apart their suspect pass defense.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers vs. Lions pass defense -- Rodgers made his second NFL start against the Lions on Sept. 14 and looked like the man he replaced, Brett Favre. He went 24-for-38 for 328 yards and three touchdowns. The Packers spread out the Lions' secondary, and now the Lions' secondary is even more thin because of injuries.
Lions RT Gosder Cherilus vs. Green Bay LDE Aaron Kampman: The Lions didn't start Cherilus in the teams' first meeting, using veteran George Foster instead, because they were worried how the rookie would handle Kampman. Foster allowed two sacks. Cherilus replaced him in the second half and held his own. Now Cherilus will start against Kampman, whose 9.5 sacks rank 12th in the NFL.
INJURY IMPACT: Watch Orlovsky and see how much his ball wobbles. This is his first game outdoors in the cold since returning from a broken right thumb. Johnson should be OK despite a bruised knee. The Lions' real problem will be in the secondary, especially if Fisher (concussion) cannot play. Cornerback Leigh Bodden has a tender groin, and with Keith Smith, Dwight Smith and Gerald Alexander on injured reserve, the Lions are terribly thin.
