James Houston, an edge rusher for the Detroit Lions, hasn’t practiced in over a month after suffering an ankle fracture during the team’s Week 2 match. After his injury, Houston has not played in a game since practicing for the first time on December 28 and being added to the 53-man roster last week.
But that might happen very, very soon.
Ahead of the team’s NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn of the Lions stated, “I think he’s very close.”
For a few reasons, the Lions have been dragging Houston along slowly. They must first ensure that he is back to his football-playing form and that he is a distinct advantage over their other personnel choices. However, they are also exercising caution over his injury because a player who depends on bend so much needs to have a sound ankle structurally.
“For the most part, we want to shield that player from themselves,” Glenn said. “Listen, I don’t take injuries lightly. In particular, we should pay attention to the medical staff’s advice to ensure that the athlete progresses at the proper rate. Thus, he is performing admirably in practice. It’s evident that he’s returning to his previous form. And maybe we’ll get to use that player on the field so he can contribute to some plays for us.
That’s exactly what Houston did when he played for the Lions in the latter part of the previous season: make plays. With 8.0 sacks at the end of the 2022 season, Houston was second on the club despite playing primarily in the reserve role for just seven games. He also recovered from a forced fumble.
The Lions have had trouble replacing Aidan Hutchinson with a pass-rushing danger this season. No other edge defender concluded the regular season with more than 2.0 sacks, compared to Hutchinson’s 11.5.
However, the 49ers game this week presents a challenge in a few ways. Trent Williams, one of San Francisco’s left tackles, is among the greatest in the game. The 49ers’ quarterback, Brock Purdy, also releases the ball somewhat rapidly, so the Lions’ current strategy of blitzing defensive backs might not be effective. This increases the strain on Purdy’s passing lanes and the front four to close them fast.
Because of the timing of the attack and his ability to get the ball out, Glenn claimed that you actually don’t get to him very often. Because he is a smaller guy, the one thing I tell the d-line is, “Man, you’ve got to get your hands up.” Additionally, he does an excellent job of anticipating exactly where he will throw the ball.
Therefore, you must generally prevail in the four-man rush rush plan. They must. For occasionally, even if you were to send six, you might never arrive and the ball would escape. Simply place your players in man coverage, and the ball will find its way out. Thus, we must perform very well in terms of changing it up.”
Houston would provide the Lions with new life and present a threat to the 49ers. Glenn thinks Houston’s game has evolved beyond the outside speed movements that characterized it in the previous season, which is even better for Detroit.
Glenn stated, “He’s learned different moves this entire offseason other than just being able to bend around the corner on guys.” Thus, I believe that everyone is eager to watch the variety of pass-rush strategies he employs.
Will he be able to use some of his new moves this week? For more than two weeks now, Houston has been listed as a full practice participant on the injury report. And it might finally be time to see what Houston is capable of, with a trip to the Super Bowl at stake.
