Detroit Lions: Houston, Smith Likely In; Fairley, Delmas Likely out vs. Raiders

Just the news we've been waiting for.

Earlier today, 97.1 FM The Ticket's Scott "The Gator" Anderson and Lions sideline reporter Tony Ortiz reported on the Lions' injuries at practice today. Some news was good, some not so much.

The good news: Cornerback Chris Houston and running back Kevin Smith are likely to play Sunday. They were in full gear in practice today, and while they may not be 100 percent, they are still likely to get the nod on Sunday.

This is great for a depleted Lions secondary and running game. With the way Carson Palmer has been playing, having Houston in the defensive backfield could bode well for the Leos.

The Kevin Smith Revival Tour is going again after taking a slight detour. In the few games that he has played, Smith has done remarkably well this season. Then he went down again with an ankle injury, then came back, then went down again with a high ankle sprain.

Linebacker Justin Durant and cornerback Eric Wright are likely to return on Sunday, which will likely boost the Lions' pass defense, and Durant will give the Lions another dimension in the run defense. Wright missed practice Thursday but was able to practice today.

And now the bad news: Safety Louis Delmas did practice today, but he is still likely to be out Sunday. Joining him will be defensive tackle Nick Fairley, who missed today's practice because of his ankle injury.

Joining Fairley with the trainers is defensive end Lawrence Jackson. There is a slight chance, according to mlive.com, that Jackson could play Sunday. Defensive end Willie Young will also be nursing an injury on the sideline Sunday.

Stay tuned, more injury updates to come during the week.