The Detroit Lions have been looking for reliable production from pass-rusher James Houston.
In Sunday’s dramatic win over the Texans at NRG Stadium, Aaron Glenn’s defense saw a boost in production from the third-year defensive end. Houston, who has struggled to regain his form after an impressive rookie season, recorded his first sack since that standout year. He also showcased his ability to beat blockers around the edge on various rushes, a skill that made him so effective during the final stretch of the 2022 season.
Now, coach Dan Campbell is optimistic that Houston can build on his performance as the season enters its final stretch. “I think he can gain a lot. It looked different, there were a number of reps that looked different. It looked like he’s beginning to get some of his confidence back,” Campbell noted. “Even in the run game, he was a little bit better, which is encouraging because he’s got to be able to help us there in rotation.”
With several key starters at his position sidelined for the remainder of the season, Houston has gone from being a healthy scratch to a crucial part of the defensive line rotation. The Lions are now hoping to see more consistency from him, both as a pass rusher and in run defense, to help manage their defensive line depth effectively.
Over the last two games, Houston has recorded seven pressures, up from just five in his previous outings. The Lions are hoping he can continue this upward trend. “We can, I mean, we can, but we’d prefer not to overwork (Josh) Paschal and the other ends, Za’Darius (Smith) and Levi (Onwuzurike). You want them to have enough left in the tank for when we need them,” Campbell explained. “So, we need him. He had a couple of really good rushes. There was one where his get-off was like, man, that’s what we need from him every time. He has that ability.”
John Maakaron has been covering Detroit Sports since 2013, with a wide range of experience covering teams such as the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. As the founder of the Detroit Sports Podcast Network, he has recorded over 3,000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their expanding digital platform. His coverage is also featured in The Oakland newspaper. Passionate about Detroit Sports, John’s extensive experience is reflected in his in-depth reporting.
