Detroit Lions list Chris Houston questionable
Jerome Simpson (81) makes a catch while being defended by Detroit Lions cornerback Chris Houston (23) in the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions No. 1 cornerback Chris Houston has a tough task ahead of him this week against the rival Green Bay Packers, as he will have to help stop Aaron Rodgers from having a big game on the Lions defense. The Lions secondary is significantly improved from last season, thanks to the additions of Darius Slay, Glover Quin, and Rashean Mathis. The most important move the Lions made on defense in the offseason, though, was re-signing Chris Houston, who is one of the more underrated defensive backs in the game. He will likely spend most of Sunday’s game covering Packers top wideout Jordy Nelson, so that’s definitely a matchup to look forward to.
According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit Lions have listed Chris Houston as questionable for tomorrow’s game with a hamstring injury. Houston suffered the injury in last week’s win over the rival Chicago Bears, and he is set to be a game-time decision this week. I expect Houston to play, and the Lions are optimistic that he will be able to help stop Rodgers, who specifically praised Houston without even being asked, and Nelson on Sunday. By the way, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy also sent some high praise in Houston’s direction; the Packers definitely know who they have to watch for the closest in the Lions secondary.
Houston returned to practice on a limited basis after being held out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday, and it sounds like he will play despite not being 100%. Even a less than 100% Chris Houston is significantly better than a 100% Darius Slay at this point, as Slay is having some predictable rookie struggles.
Defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham said of the Detroit Lions top CB, “He worked hard today, and he’s played against (Rodgers) long enough to know what’s going to happen in the game. It’s good to have him back out there.”
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