Welcome back, James Houston.
The second-year defender’s 21-day practice window came to an end this week, and the Lions decided to activate him from injured reserve Thursday. In a corresponding move, the organization waived outside linebacker Julian Okwara.
Houston had been on injured reserve since breaking his ankle in a Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
“There’s going to be a little bit of rust, after three months of sitting down and not doing any type of football almost. So, there’s going to be a little rust,” Houston told reporters Thursday. “That’s what we’ve been trying to work off in this 21-day activation period. Hopefully, I feel like I’m good enough to go out there and go.”
Prior to the injury, the Jackson State product had recorded just a lone tackle and a single quarterback hit.
However, the season prior, Houston burst onto the scene in a major way.
After spending half of his rookie campaign on the practice squad, the 2022 sixth-round pick made his debut on Thanksgiving against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, and made an immediate impact. He amassed two sacks of the Pro Bowl quarterback, and also recovered a fumble. It started a stretch of four straight games in which the then-unheralded rookie registered at least one sack.
Houston went on to accumulate eight sacks in seven games during the ‘22 season. On top of that, he compiled seven tackles for loss and 11 QB hits.
Houston was a bonafide playmaker during that seven-game stretch, and formed a dynamic pass-rushing duo with fellow EDGE Aidan Hutchinson. The 2022 draft picks combined to produce an impressive 17.5 sacks as first-year pros, an NFL record for rookie teammates.
To no surprise, Houston had his sights set on replicating that kind of production in 2023.
“My vision was being a playmaker throughout the whole year. It was a disappointment, but injuries and stuff happen like that,” the second-year pro expressed. “So, it’s all good. I’m back. Worked my way back up, and now I’m ready to go out there and ball.”
Presently, Houston is listed as questionable for Detroit’s divisional round playoff contest with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Ford Field.
He was forced to take a backseat and watch the Lions’ milestone, wild-card playoff win over the L.A. Rams last week as a fan. Now that he’s been activated, though, he feels ready to get back on the field and help Detroit, in front of its rabid fanbase, advance to its first conference championship game in 32 years.
“Crowd was so loud (against the Rams). It was crazy,” Houston said. “I really felt like I was the fan. You know, I was kind of part of ‘y’all.’ But, it was just electric. It was really electric, and I can’t wait to see what it’s going to look like this week, a divisional game on our way to the conference championship. So, I’m really excited.”
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