FAYETTEVILLE — The Detroit Lions released cornerback Chris Houston Friday afternoon.
The former Arkansas player "underwent a significant medical procedure this spring," so the Lions decided to terminate his contract, the team said in a statement.
Last season, he missed four games because of toe and foot injuries.
Houston has been a starter in Detroit's secondary since 2010. Before being traded to the Lions, he played for the Atlanta Falcons, who drafted him in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
During his career, Houston has intercepted 13 passes and returned three for touchdowns. His best season came in 2011, when he had five interceptions and returned two for touchdowns.
The release comes just a year after Houston signed a five-year, $25 million deal with the Lions.
Houston earned second team All-SEC honors after his junior season at Arkansas and decided to forgo his senior season to enter the NFL Draft.
Of the four Razorbacks taken in the 2007 Draft - Jamaal Anderson, Houston, Tony Ugoh and Keith Jackson, Jr. - only Houston was on an active NFL roster last season.