At both starting defensive ends, perhaps for the rest of the season, the Detroit Lions could turn to one of the top passers in his late 2022 assist campaign.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said Friday that James Houston could play a rotational role on the Lions’ reconfigured defensive line for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Aidan Hutchinson broke his left tibia and fibula last week against the Dallas Cowboys and is out four to six months, and Marcus Davenport will miss the rest of the season with a torn triceps that he suffered in September.
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“I think there’s a chance (Houston) gets in the game here and maybe there’s a spot for him,” Campbell said. “But it’s like everything else, it’s about the reps in practice, what they look like, and even when you get in the game, what do they look like? And if they’re good and there’s production and discipline, so keep putting him in. And if he’s not, bring someone else in.
Houston had eight sacks in seven games as the Lions’ designated passer in 2022, but has played sparingly since. He missed most of last season with a broken leg and has been healthy for most of this year, playing just 17 snaps in two games.
Houston played a backup role in the Lions’ Week 4 win over the Seattle Seahawks, their first game without Davenport, but had two offsides penalties and no tackles. He was then inactive last week against the Cowboys, behind Isaac Ukwu, recalled from practice squad.
Houston isn’t as complete a player as Hutchinson, who leads the NFL with 7½ sacks, but he has unique skills as an edge rusher and could help a Lions defense that ranks 17th in the NFL in sack percentage .
Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams said Houston had “a good week” of practice this week, and Campbell said he had “a great opportunity” to earn playing time at the future.
“On this football team, you have to earn everything you get, and Houston is no different than the rest of the guys,” Williams said. “If you play well, you will play. If you don’t play well, you won’t play. It’s as simple as that. That’s what Dan believes in, that’s what (Aaron Glenn) believes in and This is what I believe in. So we are all on the same wavelength.
Briefly
Defensive tackle Kyle Peko underwent surgery Thursday to repair his partially torn pectoral muscle. … As part of the crowd noise they pumped out in practice this week, the Lions included the distinct sound of the Vikings’ Gjallarhorn. Told that reporters could hear him through the walls of the indoor training center on Thursday, Campbell asked: “Is it boring? Because the goal is supposed to be boring. It’s supposed to bore (the players).”
Dave Birkett will sign copies of his new book, “Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline” at 2 p.m. Saturday at La Dona Cerveceria in Minneapolis and 7 p.m. Monday at 24 Seconds Bar & Grill in Berkley. Order your copy here.
Contact Dave Birkett at [email protected]. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article was originally published on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions’ Houston has chance to contribute with Hutchinson out
