ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Less than a week before the Detroit Lions' regular-season opener, the starting secondary remains in question.
Cornerback Chris Houston (right ankle) and safety Louis Delmas (surgery on left knee four weeks ago) didn't participate in Monday's practice.
Coach Jim Schwartz wouldn't comment on their possible availability for Sunday's game against St. Louis.
"I'll be in regular-season mode with injuries from now on," Schwartz said. "We'll get those guys back as soon as we can."
If Houston isn't ready, the starting cornerbacks could be rookie Bill Bentley (third-round draft pick) and free-agent addition Jacob Lacey.
At least they've been around more than a week.
The other cornerbacks on the 53-man roster are Kevin Barnes (acquired last week from Washington in a trade), Drayton Florence (signed after being released by Denver Friday) and rookie Jonte Green (sixth-round draft pick).
Meanwhile, John Wendling (two starts in five NFL seasons) and Erik Coleman (missed most of last season with fractured leg) finished the preseason as the starting safeties. Amari Spievey, who started 15 games last season, is also available.
Bentley (shoulder) was one of several players held out of last week's final preseason game who were back on the field for Monday's practice.
The others include running back Kevin Smith (ankle), defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (knee), receiver Titus Young (knee), running back/return specialist Stefan Logan (ankle), linebackers Stephen Tulloch (knee) and Travis Lewis (quad), and defensive tackle Corey Williams.
EXTRA POINTS
To make room for Florence on the 53-man roster, the Lions released safety Ricardo Silva.
… The Lions ended up putting the maximum eight players on their practice squad. The group includes receivers Patrick Edwards and Kris Durham, running back Stephfon Green, fullback Shaun Chapas, linebacker Carmen Messina, offensive guard Rodney Austin, defensive tackle Lorenzo Washington and cornerback Ross Weaver (Michigan State).
