NEW ORLEANS — The Lions need all the experience they can get on defense against New Orleans, but they’ll be hurting today without the services of starting CB Phillip Buchanon who is out with a neck injury. He was listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report. Eric King will start in his place.

Other inactive inactives for today’s game: QB Drew Stanton (knee), WR Derrick Williams, CB Kevin Hobbs, CB Phillip Buchanon (neck), DT Orien Harris, G Manny Ramirez, T Jon Jansen and DE Copeland Bryan.

G Stephen Peterman, who missed practice Thursday and Friday with an ankle injury, will play along with K Jason Hanson who is coming back from minor knee surgery. — PAULA PASCHE