George Foster's days as the Lions' starting right tackle are over.

Lions coach Rod Marinelli would not comment on any lineup changes after practice Wednesday, but Foster said "it's obvious what's going on to the eye" — that rookie first-round pick Gosder Cherilus will start Sunday's game at San Francisco.

"I'm not super-duper surprised," Foster said. "Most teams, 95 percent of the teams are not going to sit a first-rounder for the whole year. I was just hoping to hold off way longer than this."

Foster said he and Cherilus split reps at right tackle in practice Wednesday, with Cherilus going first in the rotation. Cherilus also replaced Foster for the second half of last week's loss to the Packers. Foster allowed two sacks in that game (and has given up three for the year), while Cherilus played penalty- and sack-free football.

"I think I've been playing good enough for us to win football games," Foster said. "That's all I can say. To me football is cut and dry, either you win the game or you lose the game. If you think you can make changes to win the game, so be it. But win the game."

To be clear, no one has told Foster or Cherilus a change has been made. Foster, who speaks highly of Cherilus' skills, said he'll continue to prepare like a starter and continue to compete for the job, he just hopes someone in the organization explains the move eventually.

"As a man, you want somebody to come tell you, this is what we're doing, this is why we're doing it," said Foster, who was called into Mike Shanahan's office in Denver the day he lost his starting job two years ago. "Ain't nobody said anything. I heard there were going to be some changes, but it looks like I'm the only change.

A few other notes:

• As was reported Tuesday, Shaun Alexander visited the Lions earlier this week, but don't read too much into that. The Lions aren't in the market for another running back right now, they're just doing what teams always do and keeping up to date with the available running-back inventory in case of injury. Lions coach Rod Marinelli is happy with the play of rookie Kevin Smith so far. If the Lions can ever avoid a 21-0 deficit, Smith might push 100 yards.

• Drew Stanton's right thumb is fine. I'll answer some emails one of these days when I get a minute, but I do want to clarify what I wrote in Monday's blog about Jon Kitna being the quarterback "all season." Marinelli said Monday he doesn't envision a circumstance, as of right now, where he'll change signal callers this year. Fact is, that won't change as long as the Lions retain some semblance of respectability. If this season spirals totally out of control — think 2-10 bad — the Lions would have no choice but to play Drew Stanton at quarterback. At some point they have to see what they have in Stanton, especially if they're faced with another high draft pick next year. Stanton is still viewed within the organization as the quarterback of the future, and the future — regardless if this season is salvaged — could be here as soon as next year.

• J.T. O'Sullivan didn't say anything of note in his conference call with local media Wednesday and players and coaches have been complimentary of his time in Detroit. He's got a quick release, he can throw any pass from any angle, he's heady, blah, blah. Truth is no one but former offensive coordinator Mike Martz thought much of him last year and there was no real chance he'd be back in Detroit, or for that matter, anywhere but San Francisco. To his credit, he's made the most of his opportunity, but the Lions should be licking their lips for Sunday.