Sunday Lineup Changes

The Vikings are making two changes to the starting lineup because of injuries and one additional change.

Cornerback Marcus McCauley will start in place of the injured Antoine Winfield, who is deactivated with a hamstring injury again. McCauley, a rookie, has performed adequately in Winfield’s absence at cornerback in recent games.

Wide receiver Robert Ferguson will also be starting today, as he is taking the place of Troy Williamson. Williamson practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday following a concussion suffered on a kickoff return against the Giants last Sunday, but he sat out the rest of the week.

Defensive end Erasmus James is also making his first start of the season in place of Ray Edwards. James has seen limited action the past few games after making a comeback from two knee surgeries since the second game of the 2006 season.

Other deactives for the Vikings include Kelly Holcomb (emergency QB), S Tank Williams, TE Garrett Mills, LB Dontarrious Thomas, DT Conrad Bolston and T Chase Johnson.

The Lions are making a couple of changes on their defensive line, sending Dewayne White over to the right end spot in place of Kalimba Edwards while Jared DeVries takes over at White’s spot on the left end. Casey FitzSimmons will also start in place of Jon Bradley at fullback. Bradley is inactive.

Other inactives for the Lions include QB Dan Orlovsky (third QB), S Greg Blue, RB Tatum Bell, CB Dovonte Edwards, OL Barry Stokes, G Manny Ramirez and DE Ikaika Alama-Francis.