THE SIDELINES : Rookie QB Peete to Start for Lions

Rookie quarterback Rodney Peete will start for Detroit Sunday when the Lions host the Pittsburgh Steelers, Coach Wayne Fontes said.

Peete, Detroit’s sixth-round draft choice out of USC, started three of the Lions’ four exhibition games but sprained his left knee in the final preseason contest. He was in uniform for Sunday’s loss to Chicago and began practicing full time this week.

Detroit lost its first three regular-season games with Bob Gagliano at quarterback. The Steelers are 1-2.

“I feel I’ve thrown on time and hit the receivers on time,” Peete said after Thursday’s practice. “Hopefully, I’ll continue to get the accuracy back on Sunday.”