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Chris Houston | Defensive Back

Team: Detroit Lions
Age / DOB:  (28) / 10/18/1984
Ht / Wt:  5'11' / 178
College: Arkansas
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Lions agreed to terms on a five-year, $25 million deal with CB Chris Houston.
The first cornerback domino finally falls. Houston was clearly the Lions' top cover man last season, often used to shadow opposing No. 1 receivers. He's miscast in that role, but would be an excellent No. 2 corner if the Lions choose to add a legit shutdown guy via the free agency or the draft. Now that Houston has signed, the markets for Aqib Talib, Sean Smith, Brent Grimes and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie could develop quickly. Mar 13 - 10:21 AM

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The Lions are reportedly "working on" a three-year deal with free agent CB Chris Houston.

If the Lions are going to plug their leaky secondary, retaining their own top cover man is a good place to start. But with the corner market slow to develop, Houston may want to stay patient. Free agents such as Aqib Talib, Sean Smith and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will set the going rate.
Mar 13 - 9:39 AM

Free agent CB Chris Houston is on the Dolphins' "radar," according to the Miami Herald, and the Dolphins have also "made inquiries" about free agent CBs Antoine Cason and Captain Munnerlyn.

The Dolphins also "called about" Greg Toler before he signed with the Colts. Miami still has $20 million in salary cap space following Tuesday's mad rush of signings, and secondary help is next up for GM Jeff Ireland to prioritize.
Mar 13 - 2:34 AM

The Lions have an offer on the table for free agent CB Chris Houston, but he is expected to test the market.

Reports have been conflicting on the Lions' interest in Houston, but he appears to be a priority for the team to re-sign. Although burnable, Houston is easily the team's top cover man. We wouldn't expect his market to be overly robust in a deep free-agent cornerback pool.
Mar 10 - 1:00 PM

The Detroit Free Press says re-signing free agent CB Chris Houston is a priority for the Lions.

The Lions haven't made their plans publicly known, but GM Martin Mayhew said he considers nine of the team's own free agents priorities. Cornerback is a glaring weak spot on Detroit's roster, and although Houston has been burned on occasion, he's easily their top cover man. The Lions will likely get to him after talking with fellow free agent Cliff Avril.
Feb 28 - 3:09 PM

The Lions have expressed "no outward interest" in re-signing free agent CB Chris Houston.

They seem to be more concerned at the moment with free agent Cliff Avril and restructuring Matthew Stafford's deal. Houston may ultimately hit a deep free-agent corner market unsigned, but we wouldn't be surprised to see him back in Detroit. Ideally, the Lions would pair Houston with a legitimate No. 1 corner.
Source: MLive.com
Feb 24 - 8:12 PM

Lions CB Chris Houston (ankle, questionable) is expected to play on Sunday against Green Bay.

Houston was carted off the field last week against the Vikings, but Detroit's top cover man was back at practice on Thursday. With the Packers' Jordy Nelson (ankle, hamstring) returning for the first time since Week 8, the Lions need all of the help in coverage that they can get. Starting safeties Amari Spievey and Louis Delmas are not expected to play.
Source: MLive.com
Sun, Nov 18, 2012 08:23:00 AM

Lions CB Chris Houston (ankle) returned to practice Thursday.

The right ankle sprain Houston sustained against the Vikings last week was of the Grade 1 variety. The Lions certainly need their top cover corner healthy against the Packers this week.
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 12:27:00 PM

Lions CB Chris Houston doesn't think the right ankle injury he sustained Sunday is serious.

Houston, the Lions' top cover corner, expects to play in Week 11. He was not on crutches following the game. Houston does think that a Vikings' lineman tried to injure him on purpose. "I went to cut him and he was flying open and as he went down he put both his knees on my ankle on purpose," he said. "But it's part of the game. I'll be OK."
Sun, Nov 11, 2012 09:34:00 PM

Lions CB Chris Houston was carted off the field with an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of Week 10.

It's a big blow to a Detroit pass defense already minus starting safeties Amari Spievey (concussions) and Louis Delmas (knee). Houston is the Lions' top cover corner. They'll likely have to sign another CB off the street this week.
Sun, Nov 11, 2012 03:54:00 PM

Chris Houston will be assigned Brandon Marshall in coverage in Monday night's game against the Bears.

Houston isn't a shutdown corner, but the Lions have used him against top receivers, regardless of which side of the field they line up on. Marshall should be started with confidence, though he's unlikely to see coverage from rookie CB Jonte Green. Since returning in Week 3, Houston hasn't allowed a touchdown to an opposing wideout. It seems like a streak likely to end on Monday night.
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 09:59:00 PM

Lions LCB Chris Houston (ankle) expects to return for Week 3.

Houston sat out the Lions' first two games, but practiced in full Wednesday. "I’m running around healthier than I was the last couple of weeks," Houston said. "I’m about 95 percent and I’ll be ready to go this week." The need for Houston's return has taken on an added urgency with fill-in Drayton Florence (forearm) landing on the shelf. Houston will likely suit up against the Titans, which is bad news for Jake Locker.
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 02:03:00 PM

The Lions are expected to be without CBs Chris Houston (ankle) and Bill Bentley (concussion) as well as FS Louis Delmas (knee) on Sunday Night Football against the 49ers.

They're going to be incredibly shorthanded in the secondary, improving Alex Smith's fantasy matchup for two-quarterback leaguers. Smith impressively has an 11:0 TD-to-INT ratio over his past eight games, while running in two more touchdowns on the ground. He's still not a top-12 QB option. Houston returned to practice this week, but must not have emerged healthy enough to play. He's listed as doubtful, as is Delmas. Bentley has been ruled out.
Fri, Sep 14, 2012 04:04:00 PM

Lions LCB Chris Houston (ankle) remains on track to play in Sunday's game against the 49ers.

Houston's return would be a major boost to a Lions' secondary that will likely be without FS Louis Delmas (knee) and CB Bill Bentley (concussion). Houston is their clear No. 1 corner.
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 11:56:00 AM

Lions LCB Chris Houston (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday.

Houston was limited in his first session since going down in Detroit's third preseason game. It's not an indication he'll be ready to roll against the 49ers, but certainly puts him on the right track. FS Louis Delmas (knee) remains sidelined.
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 04:12:00 PM

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4Thaddeus Lewis
RB1Reggie Bush
2Mikel Leshoure
3Joique Bell
4Theo Riddick
5Steven Miller
GLB1Mikel Leshoure
2Reggie Bush
3RB1Reggie Bush
2Joique Bell
FB1Montell Owens
2Shaun Chapas
WR11Calvin Johnson
2Nate Burleson
3Mike Thomas
4Kris Durham
5Brian Robiskie
WR21Ryan Broyles
2Corey Fuller
3Patrick Edwards
4Micheal Spurlock
5Matt Willis
WR31Nate Burleson
TE1Brandon Pettigrew
2Tony Scheffler
3Michael Williams
4Matt Veldman
5Joseph Fauria
K1David Akers
2Havard Rugland