Houston signed a one-year contract with the Panthers on Monday. Houston joins Carolina after sitting out last season while nursing a toe injury suffered during the 2013 campaign. At 30 years old, Houston boasts a combined 376 tackles and 13 interceptions from his previous seven seasons. That veteran experience figures to allow him to compete for a depth role in the Panthers' secondary this upcoming season.

Free agent CB Chris Houston had the "same [toe] surgery I just had" as a high school senior. It cost Houston a scholarship to Texas, and he later committed to Arkansas. The Detroit Free Press reported after Houston's release from the Lions last week that the team believes Houston has a degenerative condition in his foot and may never be the same. Speaking this week, Houston said the release from the Lions was a "mutual" decision. (We highly doubt it, considering Houston forfeited a chance at about $15 million.) He hopes to be cleared by August or September.

The Detroit Free Press reports the Lions had "legitimate concerns" about whether free agent CB Chris Houston (toe surgery) would ever return to form before releasing him on Friday. Houston underwent "major" toe surgery in May -- his second operation of the offseason -- and reportedly has a degenerative condition in the foot. Per beat writer Dave Birkett, the Lions fear "Houston's career was essentially over." Houston's agent predictably stated Friday that Houston should "make a full recovery" and play football in 2014. The rest of the NFL will determine that.

Lions released CB Chris Houston. Houston is hardly an elite cornerback, but he's a seven-year NFL starter who manned left corner in Detroit for each of the past four seasons, and was given a new five-year, $25 million deal last March. The Lions will move forward with Rashean Mathis, Darius Slay, and Bill Bentley likely occupying their top three cornerback jobs. Houston, 29, had probably the worst year of his career in 2013, and underwent offseason toe surgery. We suspect he'll get a shot in someone else's camp, but not before he gets healthy. Houston has been injury plagued several years running. Per OverTheCap.com, the Lions save $3.5 million in cash by cutting Houston, but lose $400,000 in salary cap space.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell confirmed LCB Chris Houston (toe) is questionable for the start of training camp. Houston underwent toe surgery this week and doesn't have a set timetable to return. The Lions would have to absorb $5.2 million in dead money to release Houston, so his roster spot is safe despite coming off a down season and dealing with multiple injuries in 2013. Darius Slay and fourth-round pick Nevin Lawson will get an extended look opposite Rashean Mathis.

Lions LCB Chris Houston underwent toe surgery this week. Houston posted a picture to his Instagram account Monday that showed him in a hospital bed. His father confirmed that Houston indeed had the toe operated on "and everything went great." Houston has been battling a toe problem since late last season and missed voluntary workouts recently. The Lions failed to address their corner need until the fourth round of the draft over the weekend. Houston's status for the start of camp is up in the air.

Lions GM Martin Mayhew said Monday LCB Chris Houston is "still dealing with a medical issue" from last year, and may need surgery. Houston sat out pre-draft voluntary workouts with a toe injury. He's also battled leg, hamstring, foot, and shoulder problems in recent years. Per the website Over the Cap, the Lions would gain zero salary cap relief by cutting Houston. They'd actually absorb a $400K penalty. Houston's roster spot should be safe, but he's likely to face competition for his starting job in training camp.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell admits he's uncertain if LCB Chris Houston can regain his pre-2013 form. "Time will tell," Caldwell said. Going on 30, Houston's 2013 was marred by injury and inconsistency. He missed this week's voluntary workouts as he continued to recover from the toe ailment that sidelined him in December. Houston remains penciled into the Lions' starting lineup, but last season was ominous. Age is rarely kind to cornerbacks.

Lions LCB Chris Houston is missing voluntary workouts with a toe injury. It's notable because Houston was sidelined by his toe last December. Houston ended up appearing in only 12 games last season as he battled toe, leg, hamstring and foot issues. Going on 30, Houston remains locked in as a starter, but is coming off the worst season of his career. He needs a healthy training camp.

Lions GM Martin Mayhew said he remains confident in LCB Chris Houston. Mayhew has no other choice after handing Houston a five-year, $25 million deal last March. Houston followed it up with his worst season. He battled leg, hamstring, foot and toe injuries throughout the season and was benched at one point. Houston recorded just nine pass breakups and two interceptions, while grading out as Pro Football Focus' No. 96 corner out of 110 qualifiers. Cornerback is right next to wide receiver at the top of Mayhew's needs list.