Posted at 9:31 a.m., Thursday, August 23, 2007
NFL: Lions will wait to decide Kitna's status
Associated Press
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Quarterback Jon Kitna's status for the Detroit Lions' third preseason game remained uncertain today.Offensive coordinator Mike Martz said the Lions will wait until Saturday afternoon to decide whether the starter will play that night at Indianapolis. Kitna left Tuesday's practice with back spasms and has not taken part in drills since.
Coach Rod Marinelli said yesterday he didn't think the injury was serious, but added the team was ready to play the Colts without him.
"You've got to go with what you have," Marinelli said.
The third preseason game typically features the starting unit.
Kitna took every regular-season snap in 2006, led the NFL in completions (372) and was second in attempts (596). Both were career bests and team records. The 11-year veteran's 4,208 yards were second only to Scott Mitchell's 4,338 on Detroit's single-season list.
Dan Orlovsky, one of two quarterbacks fighting for the backup job, is doubtful for Saturday's game with a turf toe injury suffered Aug. 18 at Cleveland. He has not taken part in drills since the game. And Detroit lost rookie Drew Stanton, the first of two second-round picks, to a knee injury early in camp.
Journeyman J.T. O'Sullivan and rookie Phil Horvath have taken all the practice snaps since Kitna left practice Tuesday. Horvath, a free agent who played last season at Northern Illinois, joined the team Tuesday.
