The Detroit Lions waive DE James Houston

Two years ago it would have been unthinkable, but the Detroit Lions announced Tuesday that they have waived defensive end James Houston.

The Lions drafted Houston in the sixth round 2022 NFL Draft. He failed to make the first 53-man roster that year, but did make the team’s practice squad. After he made a strong impression during practice, the Lions eventually signed him to the 53-man midseason, and he was a pass-rushing phenomenon. In just seven games, Houston tallied 8.0 sacks and 11 quarterback hits.

Entering his second season, the expectation was that he would 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 a rotation-only player, then missed most of the season with a broken ankle.

This year it was more of the same. Houston struggled to crack the lineup. Even with multiple injuries at the EDGE position — Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes all out with long-term injuries — Houston barely found a role, and when he did, he struggled with production. This season, he has just 116 defensive snaps across eight game appearances and has managed just a single sack, two quarterback hits and eight total tackles.

“We had James available for a number of games, he came back from injury and came back and it just never quite worked out,” Campbell said. “Look, wish him luck. Sometimes you just need a fresh start and that could be great for him.”

Right now, it’s unclear what the Lions plan to do with the open guard spot.

Houston will face waivers and, if not claimed, will be a free agent ready to sign with any team.