JAMES HOUSTON NEWS

Headed to Cleveland The Browns claimed Houston off waivers Wednesday.

Impact Houston was waived by Detroit on Tuesday, but he has quickly found a new home in Cleveland. The 2022 sixth-round pick had a promising rookie season with the Lions, during which he logged 8.0 sacks in just seven regular-season games. However, Houston played just two regular-season games in 2023 due to a fractured ankle suffered in Week 2, and he has only managed to accrue 1.0 sack across his last 10 outings, eight of which have come in 2024. Houston will get a new opportunity with the Browns, where he will serve as a rotational defensive end behind starters Myles Garrett and Isaiah McGuire.

NOVEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Lions are releasing EDGE James Houston ahead of Week 13 It just didn’t work out for Houston after a spectacular 6 weeks in his rookie season

NOVEMBER 26 • USATODAY.COM

Lions cut defensive end James Houston, who had 1 sack in 10 games since he had 8 sacks as a rookie

The Detroit Lions released reserve defensive end James Houston, cutting ties with a player who failed to produce as well as he did during his rookie season

NOVEMBER 26 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Waived by Detroit The Lions waived Houston on Tuesday.

Impact A sixth-round pick in 2022, Houston had a huge rookie season, recording 8.0 sacks across seven games. But getting to the quarterback proved to be a challenge in 2023 and 2024, as Houston has just 1.0 sacks across 10 appearances since the start of last season. He'll look for a fresh start elsewhere and could even garner some interest on waivers.

NOVEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Records sack in preseason finale Houston (knee) recorded three total tackles (one solo), including a sack, in Saturday's 24-17 win over the Steelers.

Impact Houston had been nursing a knee injury that he suffered in the team's preseason opener against the Giants, but he made the most of his opportunity in his return against Pittsburgh. The linebacker notched a sack on quarterback Kyle Allen in the second quarter while playing 22 defensive snaps with Detroit in the contest. Although Houston has proven himself when healthy, head coach Dan Campbell said following the game that he and general manager Brad Holmes will have a tough decision to make on if the linebacker will crack the 53-man roster, Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network reports.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

THE DAILY DRIVE: Lions to let James Houston do what he does best: 'Get after the quarterback' Lions' Daurice Fountain fighting to keep dream alive — just like he always has

AUGUST 16 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Dealing with bone bruise in knee Houston suffered a bone bruise in his knee during Thursday night's preseason loss to the Giants, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Impact Coming off a mostly lost 2023 season that saw him appear in just two regular-season games due to a broken ankle, Houston was itching to hit someone Thursday and landed a big lick on Drew Lock in the first half. Houston was later injured, but the timetable for his return is unclear. Houston recorded eight sacks in seven games as a 2022 rookie, and the Lions are banking on him providing some pass-rush juice alongside Aidan Hutchinson this season.

AUGUST 9 • ROTOWIRE

Campbell on James Houston: 'This will be a big camp for him' This will be a big training camp for Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston, who is looking to return to form after a lost season to injury...

JULY 29 • DETROITLIONS.COM

James Houston IV Helps To Promote 'Tiger Run: The Untold Story' About Deion Sanders And 2022 Jackson State Pro Day Former Jackson State star and Detroit Lions linebacker was in Jackson, Mississippi to promote a docuseries about the Deion Sanders and the 2...

MARCH 21 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Detroit Lions Tender James Houston ERFA Contract Houston tendered contract for 2024 season.

MARCH 13 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

BREAKING: James Houston IV Is Active For Lions, Ready to Be 'The Problem' Against The San Francisco 49ers Former Jackson State star linebacker and Lions edge rusher will be eligible to play in the 2024 NFC Championship Game.

JANUARY 29 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Edge rusher James Houston returns for the Lions in the NFC title game

Edge rusher James Houston is active for the first time since September, giving the Detroit Lions' pass rush a boost for the NFC championship game against the San Francisco 49ers

JANUARY 28 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lions LB James Houston inactive vs. Buccaneers Detroit Lions pass-rusher James Houston is inactive for Sunday’s NFC divisional playoff game against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Houst...

JANUARY 21 • SACBEE.COM

Lions LB James Houston inactive vs. Buccaneers Detroit Lions pass-rusher James Houston is inactive for Sunday’s NFC divisional playoff game against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Houst...

JANUARY 21 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Lions' James Houston and Kalif Raymond inactive; Bucs Shaquil Barrett and Chase Edmonds active

Detroit Lions edge rusher James Houston is inactive against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in an NFC divisional playoff game

JANUARY 21 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Detroit Lions James Houston: 'I'm Ready to Go Out There and Ball' James Houston feels ready to play against Buccaneers.

JANUARY 20 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Lions LB James Houston progressing, but questionable for NFC playoff matchup against Buccaneers

Lions edge rusher James Houston is progressing in his bid to return from a broken fibula, however a decision has yet to be made on whether he will play when Detroit hosts the Tampa...

JANUARY 19 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lions DE James Houston's Sunday status not certain Detroit Lions pass-rusher James Houston might not be ready for Sunday’s NFC divisional playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coach...

JANUARY 19 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Detroit Lions Still Gauging if James Houston Is Ready to Return Lions still examining what Houston can offer.

JANUARY 19 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Twentyman in the Huddle Episode 78: Lions-Buccaneers Divisional Round preview with James Houston & more On this week’s episode of Twentyman in the Huddle presented by Microsoft, Tim Twentyman previews Sunday's game with T.J. Lang, Scott Smith a...

JANUARY 19 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Lions activate LB James Houston from injured reserve The Detroit Lions activated James Houston from injured reserve on Thursday and waived fellow linebacker Julian Okwara.Houston was designated...

JANUARY 18 • SUNHERALD.COM

'That's my plan': Lions' James Houston hopes to play vs. Buccaneers ALLEN PARK, Mich. - Detroit Lions edge rusher James Houston said he plans to play in Sunday’s NFC divisional-round playoff game against the...

JANUARY 17 • SUNHERALD.COM

Lions Sam LaPorta Questionable, James Houston Out Against Rams Four players ruled out Sunday.

JANUARY 12 • KANSASCITY.COM

Lions Sam LaPorta Questionable, James Houston Out Against Rams Four players ruled out Sunday.

JANUARY 12 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Won't be activated ahead of Week 18 Houston (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Impact Houston was designated to return from injured reserve Dec. 28, but he'll miss his second straight game since then. The linebacker was able to log a trio of limited practice sessions during Week 18 prep, so it seems that he's making progress toward a return. The second-year linebacker may be able to play in Detroit's wild-card matchup next weekend.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE