Despite returning to practice late last week, Detroit Lions edge rusher James Houston will not play in the team’s regular-season finale this Sunday, according to coach Dan Campbell.
Houston went on injured reserve after breaking his ankle in Week 2. Houston has recently expressed optimism about Campbell making a significant contribution to the squad late in the season, but Campbell has acknowledged that he still has a long way to go.
“He did more this week than last week, but he’s still a ways out,” Campbell said on Friday.
That would force Houston to return during the playoffs, a tough challenge for a young man with only nine games of NFL experience. Houston hasn’t played in four months, and he’s only had four sessions since his comeback.
And, according to Campbell, Houston’s return for the Lions’ Wild Card playoff game next week is not guaranteed.
“It’s a lot to ask,” Campbell said. “Not that it can’t happen; I know he looks a lot better this week than he did last week or when we got him up.”
“So, whenever a player returns from an injury, it’s just a matter of how quickly you can regain your confidence and your own abilities, your body.” You’re out of practice. It takes some time to get used to what it is because it will never feel the same as it did previously. So much of that will be time spent on task. “Get him moving, running, and see how far he can get.”
Houston, if healthy and successful, would surely help the Lions defense, which frequently struggles to produce pass rush with a four-man rush. Houston was a key component of the defense’s second-half comeback last season, sacking the quarterback eight times in the final seven games.
“I feel like I’m a game-changer,” Houston stated in early December. “I make some very explosive plays, which I believe the team requires.” They need turnovers and big plays to shift the momentum in our favor, and I feel like I’m pretty excellent at that.”
But first and foremost, Houston must become comfortable with his own game and ensure that he is at a level where he will be able to hit the ground running on game day.
“We’re just making sure we’re checking off all the necessary boxes to make sure when I do get back out there I can actually contribute and not just be out there,” he added.
