Lions coach Jim Schwartz announced Wednesday that Drew Stanton will make his first NFL career start this weekend against the 49ers, keeping veteran backup Daunte Culpepper on the bench.

Stanton relieved a struggling Culpepper in the second half of last Sunday’s 31-24 loss to the Cardinals and completed 10 of 19 passes for 72 yards with one interception. Culpepper had started two consecutive games in place of rookie Matthew Stafford, who’s still nursing an injury to his non-throwing shoulder.

Stanton, a third-year pro out of Michigan State, has played in five NFL games but never started. He has thrown for 248 yards and one touchdown with three interceptions, all in the last two seasons.

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