Lions’ James Houston has ‘great opportunity’ vs. Vikings, but still must earn playing time

As the Detroit Lions still try to navigate in a post-Aidan Hutchinson season, there are several players they will rely upon more to be a disruptive force on nature. The coaching staff has already identified Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, Josh Paschal, and Levi Onwuzurike as players who will need to take their game to a new level.

One player who has been lost in the shuffle is 2021 sixth-round pick James Houston. After a crazy finish to his rookie season—tallying eight sacks in the team's final seven games—Houston has since seen his playing time dwindle to being a regular inactive on game days. It's clear to see that he has fallen out of favor as an awkward fit in Detroit's pass rushing plans,

But with all of the personnel losses on the edge—the Lions now down Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, John Cominsky, and Derrick Barnes to injury—it could represent a change in philosophy and an opportunity for Houston. Coach Dan Campbell acknowledged that this week's game against the Minnesota Vikings could be an opportunity for Houston to get back on the field and make an impact.

"I think there's a chance that he goes to the game here and there may be a place for him," Campbell said. "He's been practicing this week and, 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."

Houston has only made two game appearances this season for a total of 17 defensive snaps. Fourteen of those snaps came in Week 4, when he produced just a single pressure and had two offsides penalties. As a result, he was inactive last week against the Cowboys.

Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams noted that Houston has had a good start to the week, but also pumped the brakes a bit on Houston being a for-sure contributor against the Vikings this Sunday.

"He's had a good week, but we're still in the week," Williams said. "It's Friday. We've got Saturday and then we've got to go perform on Sunday. On this football team, you've got to earn everything that you get, and Houston's no different than the rest of the guys. If you play well, you'll play. If you don't play well, you won't. It's as simple as that."

Houston was also noticeably absent from Williams' list of players he expects to step up in the absence of Hutchinson.

"We've got a good group with Mac, and with Reader, and Levi, and Josh Paschal's been unbelievable," Williams said.

One person Houston will have to compete with is undrafted rookie Isaac Ukwu, who got a lot of playing time against the Cowboys after Hutchinson went down with his injury. While Campbell said it was clear that was Ukwu's first NFL action, Williams noted some positives from his debut.

"He earned the right to be out there," Williams said. "When you play and you coach in this league, you need guys—ask the players—they want players around them that they trust. Same thing with coaches, we want to trust these guys and make sure that they're prepared when they go out there. This kid has been preparing for his opportunity, and he went out and did a good job. The thing you appreciate about him is he got better as the game went on. So, as long as he can continue to do that, then we'll be in great shape."

Ukwu remains on the team's practice squad, but the Lions have two vacancies on their 53-man roster. So we may get some insight into their plans if/when they fill those spots.