Quarterback Jon Kitna, whose back problems have not been improving, visited a back specialist this morning but the results of that examination aren’t known. It appears more likely that Dan Orlovsky will get his first NFL start Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

Also, some eyebrows were raised when receiver Calvin Johnson appeared on the Lions injury report late yesterday with a knee problem. Johnson, though, just banged his knee at Thursday’s practice and is expected to start against the Vikings.