The Lions, still searching for their first win of the season, will start quarterback Daunte Culpepper on Sunday against the Panthers. Culpepper signed a two-year deal last week, ending his brief retirement. He was 5-of-10 for 104 yards in his Detroit debut against the Jacksonville. "That's why it was so good to play him last week, in my mind," Coach Rod Marinelli said. "He got one under his belt. Every day he's out here, he's getting better and better, faster. "He's just got a nice presence about him on the field, in terms of energy and getting guys rallied. He's got a way to get guys rallied and excited a little bit. That's who he is naturally, and that just kind of comes out."