Drew Stanton will start this weekend against the Chicago Bears, Lions coach Jim Schwartz said, as Detroit's quarterback situation fell deeper into disarray with a report that Shaun Hill could be finished for the season.
The Lions (2-9) are down to their No. 3 quarterback after starter Matthew Stafford, who has played in just three games this season, twice sustained a separated throwing shoulder this season and injured a finger on his throwing hand. Schwartz said rookie Zac Robinson will back up Stanton in Sunday's game.
Hill missed practice Tuesday, and the *Detroit Free Press* reported, citing a person familiar with the situation, that his season could be over because of a broken index finger on his right (throwing) hand.
Hill, who sustained the finger injury during the first half of the Lions' Thanksgiving Day loss to the New England Patriots, wasn't available to reporters. The source said surgery wouldn't be required on the finger.
Stanton took the first-team reps at practice Tuesday. The Free Press reported the Lions on Monday worked out free-agent quarterbacks J.T. O'Sullivan and Josh McCown.
Stafford, the No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft, suffered his second shoulder injury this season Nov. 7 against the New York Jets. Hill had started in Stafford's place, and he played all of last Thursday's game, then appeared to have a splint on his right index finger at practice Tuesday.
Stanton has played in three games this season, completing 20 of 36 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown with one interception.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
