Where is James Houston? Lions head coach Dan Campbell gives his thoughts on Houston getting time with Aidan Hutchinson out
When the 2022 season wrapped up, the Detroit Lions looked like they had a star in James Houston. He had eight sacks in seven games. Fast forward to the 2024 season and Houston has played 17 snaps this whole season and has been a healthy scratch the rest of the time. What happened? A lot […]
When the 2022 season wrapped up, the Detroit Lions looked like they had a star in James Houston. He had eight sacks in seven games. Fast forward to the 2024 season and Houston has played 17 snaps this whole season and has been a healthy scratch the rest of the time. What happened?
A lot has a happened. The Lions really wanted to make him a SAM linebacker and they just couldn't get it figured out after trying for three years. Shortly before the season started the Lions gave up on the idea and moved Houston to just being a guy that can set the edge. Perhaps that caused the Lions to lose some faith in him because he has yet to be a real part of their rotation this season.
Now that Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport are both out for a while, Houston could have a big chance to turn things around against the Vikings this Sunday if he gets a shot at playing. Dan Campbell's comments on Friday sort of push the idea that he just might.
“Yeah, I think there’s a chance that he goes to the game here and there may be a place for him. He’s been practicing this week and it’s kind of like – so, yeah, there could be a place here, but it’s like everything else, it’s about the reps in practice, what they look like, and then even when you get in the game, what do those look like? And if they’re good and there’s production and discipline, then keep putting him in, and if it’s not, put somebody else in. But yeah, this is a great opportunity. It’s a great opportunity for him.”
I don't know about you, but I read that as "here's your last shot kid." This is a career defining moment for Houston if he's indeed active. If he can go out there and show that 2022 wasn't just a one time thing, he could lock down a major role on this defense for the rest of the season. If he falters, Houston could be struggling to find more reps on this team or he could be moved during the trade deadline.
I, for one, hope the guy shows that he was not a flash in the pan and that he really can get home and be a big part of this defense like everyone hoped he would be. We'll find out Sunday.
The Lions can beat the Vikings by allowing Minnesota to do what it does best on defense
The Minnesota Vikings are having quite the start to their season and the biggest reason for that is their defense. The Vikings have been cleaning up there for weeks with blitzes and turnovers. The blitz one is what we really want to talk about here. No team blitzes more than the Vikings. They've blitzed 106 […]
