James Houston’s time with the Detroit Lions has officially come to an end. The Lions announced today that they have released the pass rusher, ending his two-year stay in Detroit.
A sixth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Houston made a spectacular entry into the league by accumulating eight sacks in just seven games during his rookie season. The Florida and Jackson State product quickly became a fan favorite with standout performances late in the season. The Lions had high expectations for Houston in 2023, but those expectations were derailed by a fibula injury that limited him to just two appearances on the year.
2024: An Inconsistent Role for Houston
The 2024 season has proven to be an up-and-down affair for Houston. After initially being left out of the lineup by Marcus Davenport, Houston began to see more playing time when standout pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffered an injury. Despite making appearances in each of the last six games, Houston has struggled to carve out a consistent role. Head coach Dan Campbell and the Lions gave opportunities to several players, including Al-Quadin Muhammad, Za’Darius Smith, Isaac Ukwu and Isaiah Thomas, along with Josh Paschal. Ultimately, Houston found himself the extra man in a crowded defensive rotation.
“It never really worked,” head coach Dan Campbell said, as quoted by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “And look, I wish him good luck, sometimes you just need a fresh start and this could be great for him, so I wish him the best.”
What’s planned for Houston?
Campbell’s comments suggest Houston is unlikely to return to Detroit’s practice squad, instead hinting at a potential fresh start with a new franchise. Now a third-year player, Houston will look to revive his once-promising career elsewhere in the NFL. Given his impressive performance as a rookie, he could draw interest from teams looking for pass-rush depth.
For the Lions, the decision to part ways with Houston is another step in an ongoing effort to refine their defensive unit. With numerous players competing for spots in the pass-rush rotation, Detroit will look to other talent to step up as they look to finish the 2024 season successfully.
