Those covering Detroit Lions practice Wednesday got a bit of a surprise: Cornerback Chris Houston had a cast on his left hand and wasn't participating.

It's not clear when Houston suffered the injury, but you would have to think he's a candidate to, at least, sit out Sunday's regular-season finale against the Green Bay Packers. The bigger question will be his condition for the Lions' playoff game on the weekend of Jan. 7-8. Defensive backs can usually play with a club protecting broken fingers/hands, as Green Bay Packers safety Morgan Burnett did earlier this season, but obviously that makes it a bit more difficult to make plays on the ball.

Houston has a team-leading five interceptions, two of which he has returned for touchdowns, despite missing two games because of a sprained knee. Stay tuned.