Daunte Culpepper and the Detroit Lions have agreed on a contract, although the length and financial terms of the deal were not clear.

Coach Rod Marinelli, who made the announcement after his team's 27-23 loss to the Chicago Bears yesterday, would not answer questions about the deal but did say it hinges on the results of a pending non-orthopedic physical.

At 0-8, the Lions clearly need help.

How much the 31-year-old Culpepper can provide remains to be seen. He planned to retire in December because he was frustrated over not finding work after a knee injury limited him with the Miami Dolphins in 2006 and Oakland Raiders in 2007. The three-time Pro Bowler worked out with the Lions during the week and apparently showed enough to land a spot with them.

Dan Orlovsky started the past four games, with Jon Kitna out for the rest of the season with a back injury, and Marinelli would not say who will start against Jacksonville next week.

"Like I told you, every week we will wait until Sunday," Marinelli said. "That's being consistent."

Orlovsky said his approach won't change either way.

"I will just continue to prepare like I am the starting quarterback," he said.

Besides the uncertainty over who will start, Culpepper's signing could leave third-string quarterback Drew Henson without a job.

"I heard yesterday they signed him and there was talks floating around that they were going to bring him in and it's just a matter of time so it's not surprising by any means," Henson said. "I guess we will find out more tomorrow and hopefully have a better understanding what's going on not only next week but hopefully for the rest of the season and my future here in Detroit."

INJURIES

Houston's Matt Schaub was out for the second half with a swollen knee in a loss to Minnesota.

Schaub went 11 for 16 for 139 yards, but threw an interception and fumbled. He was limping at times in the first half and looked rattled at others.

Backup Sage Rosenfels was intercepted by Madieu Williams in the end zone by in the third quarter, and the Vikings stopped the Texans' three-game winning streak with a 28-21 victory.

In Kansas City, Chiefs running back Kolby Smith was carted off the field with a sprained knee in the third quarter of a 30-27 overtime loss to Tampa Bay. Smith had a 1-yard TD run and ran for 46 yards on 10 carries before getting hurt.

The Tennessee Titans lost defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who started but went to the sideline in the second quarter and never returned, and linebacker Keith Bulluck went to the locker room with a rib injury in a 19-16 overtime win against Green Bay. Packers left tackle Chad Clifton started, but didn't play in the second half because of a reaction to medication for an illness.

Bills right guard Jason Whittle, filling in for injured starter Brad Butler, was hurt during host Buffalo's 26-17 loss to the Jets and did not return in the fourth quarter. Coach Dick Jauron declined to discuss the nature of the injury. Whittle strained his left quadriceps last weekend.

The Bills also played without running back Marshawn Lynch in the second quarter because he experienced nausea after attempting to chase down Abram Elam during an interception return.

The Broncos lost leading tackler D.J. Williams to a torn ligament in his left knee, starting tailback Michael Pittman to a re-injured neck and safety Marlon McCree to a sprained ankle in a 26-17 home loss to Miami.

HAWAI'I PLAYERS IN NFL

Miami receiver Davone Bess (UH) had two catches for 28 yards in the Dolphins' 26-17 victory over Denver. Bess also returned one punt for 5 yards.

St. Louis linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (UH) had five tackles in a 34-13 loss to Arizona.

Arizona safety Aaron Francisco (Kahuku High) had one tackle against St. Louis.

Atlanta kicker Jason Elam (UH) kicked three extra points and a 48-yard field goal in a 24-0 win over Oakland.