Starting defensive ends Jared DeVries (hand) and Dewayne White (calf), free safety Dwight Smith (foot) and cornerback Keith Smith (groin) did not dress.

Center Dominic Raiola (hand) and receiver Mike Furrey (concussion) also did not play for the Lions, who started Daunte Culpepper at quarterback for the second straight game in place of Dan Orlovsky (hand).

Moran Norris remained Detroit's starting fullback ahead of the healthy Jerome Felton, who was inactive.

For the Panthers, center Ryan Kalil was inactive, plagued by a sore right ankle. Kalil returned last week against Oakland after missing three games, but had trouble pushing off on his right foot and was replaced by Geoff Hangartner late in the first quarter.

Backup guard Jeremy Bridges was deactivated as a precaution after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.

Receiver Dwayne Jarrett remained a healthy scratch, with D.J. Hackett serving as Carolina's No. 3 receiver.