Jon Kitna may have played his last game as a Lion.

The Lions intend to place Kitna on injured reserve if they can't trade him by Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline, a source familiar with the decision-making process said. The source put the chances of Kitna landing on IR, and thus ending his season, at "95 to 98 percent."

Kitna suffered a back injury two weeks ago in the first half of a loss to Chicago. He did not play last week against Minnesota and did not travel with the team after a visit to a specialist Friday revealed possible muscular damage in his lower back. Originally, he was said to have only back spasms.

The injury is not career threatening and is treatable with rest, meaning Kitna could return this year and thus be a worthwhile backup for a contender. No teams had expressed interest in trading for him as of Monday night.

Lions coach Rod Marinelli was elusive when talking about Kitna at his press conference Monday, and Kitna's agent, Mike Moye, declined comment. Kitna told the Associated Press that he'll "eventually be able to play. I don't know if it will be this week."

Regardless, Dan Orlovsky will make his second career start this week against Houston. Orlovsky was 12-of-21 passing for 150 yards in a 12-10 loss to the Vikings. He said Monday no one has informed him he'll start against the Texans.

Kitna, 36, started the first 36 games of his Lions career. He topped 4,000 yards passing each of the las two seasons, but never appeared comfortable in new coordinator Jim Colletto's offense.

He has one year left on his contract, and with 2007 second-round pick Drew Stanton waiting in the wings it's unclear if Kitna will return next year as a Lion.