Detroit, MI (My Sportsbook) - The Detroit Lions will be without the services of wide receiver/kick returner Desmond Howard for the rest of the season because of a neck injury.

Howard has been battling a neck injury all season and aggravated the injury last week against the Green Bay Packers. Howard played in seven games this season and returned nine punts for 48 yards, along with 26 kickoff returns for 587 yards.

The former Michigan Wolverine and 1991 Heisman Trophy winner also played for Washington, Jacksonville, Green Bay and Oakland. Howard was selected MVP of Super Bowl XXXI while a member of the Packers, becoming the only special teams player to earn the honor in Super Bowl history.

Meanwhile, the Lions claimed wide receiver Jacquez Green off waivers and signed fullback Kyle Johnson to the practice squad. No terms of their contracts were disclosed.

Green, a University of Florida product, was released by the Redskins on Tuesday. Green posted five receptions for 94 yards, returned 17 punts for 174 yards, including a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown and had 58 yards on three kickoff returns in nine games.

Johnson was originally drafted by the Carolina Panthers out of Syracuse with their second selection in the fifth-round of the 2002 NFL Draft.