The Detroit Lions have waived James Houston, their pass-rushing sensation from 2022.
Two years ago, it would have been unthinkable, but the Detroit Lions announced on Tuesday they have waived defensive end James Houston.
The Lions drafted Houston in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He failed to make the initial 53-man roster that year but went to the team’s practice squad. After he made a strong impression during practices, the Lions eventually signed him to the 53-man roster midseason and he was a pass rushing phenomenon. In just seven games, Houston tallied 8.0 sacks and 11 quarterback hits.
Going into his second season, the expectation was he’d take another step and pair nicely with Aidan Hutchinson to give Detroit a lethal pass rush. But Houston never quite fit what the Lions wanted in their edge defenders—he struggled against the run and he didn’t maintain rush lane integrity. He started 2023 as just a rotational player, then lost most of the season with a fractured ankle.
This year, it was more of the same. Houston struggled to crack the lineup. Even with several injuries to the EDGE position—Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, and Derrick Barnes all out with long-term injuries—Houston barely found a role, and when he was in, he struggled with production. This season, he has just 116 defensive snaps across eight game appearances and has only managed a single sack, two quarterback hits, and eight total tackles.
“We had James up for a number of games, he came back off the injury and got back, and it just never quite worked out,” Campbell said. “Look, wish him the best of luck. Sometimes you just need a fresh start and this could be great for him.”
As of now, it’s unclear what the Lions plan on doing with the open roster spot.
Houston will face waivers, and if he goes unclaimed, he’ll be a free agent clear to sign with any team.
