Dan Campbell puts doubt on James Houston’s availability against the Bucs.
The Detroit Lions activated James Houston from injured reserve this week, but he does not appear to be a lock to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On Thursday, the Detroit Lions were forced to make a decision regarding edge defender James Houston: activate him to the 53-man roster or keep him on injured reserve for the remainder of the postseason. The Lions choose to activate him, presumably preparing him to participate in this weekend’s Divisional Round playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
However, on Friday morning, coach Dan Campbell promptly quelled the euphoria. When asked what kind of role Houston can realistically expect given that he hasn’t played since Week 2, Campbell said that they need to determine whether he’s ready to play at all.
“We still have to see if we think he will be ready,” Campbell added. “I know it; he’s better. He’s doing much better this week than he was last week. That is the progression, correct? Every week, he should begin to get his legs back under him and feel good about it. We have to decide if we truly believe that if he leaves, we would receive the production in proportion to where we are seated.”
What can Houston do to show it between now and Sunday’s 3 p.m. ET kickoff? As always, everything comes down to how he performs in practice.
“Practice. “Everything is practice-related,” Campbell explained.
If Houston isn’t playing this week, why would the Lions activate him—and then cut Julian Okwara? For starters, they needed to decide on Houston by Thursday. And if they believe he has a chance to help the Lions win the Conference Championship or Super Bowl, this was the only way to go.
Houston has been practicing for three weeks straight after hurting his ankle in mid-September. The agile pass rusher has only appeared in nine career NFL games, but in his debut season, he made an impression by recording eight sacks in his first seven games.
He appears to be in good health, having participated in five consecutive practices. It’s just a matter of getting his football legs back under him and demonstrating his ability to play effectively. Houston spoke with the media on Thursday, emphasizing his desire to play.
“I know he wants to leave. “Who wouldn’t?” Campbell stated. “But he’s done a nice job coming back.”
We’ll see what happens to Houston when inactives are discharged.
Houston’s fate will be determined when the inactives are disclosed 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday.
