James Houston Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Eagles vs Cowboys game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Oct 10, 2025
Cleared to face Carolina
Houston (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Panthers, Clarence Hill Jr. of AllDLLS.com reports.
ANALYSIS
After being limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, Houston was able to practice fully Friday. He's appeared in all five games this season and has logged 11 tackles (seven solo), including a team-high 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Oct 9, 2025
Remains limited Thursday
Houston (knee) was a limited participant at practice Thursday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
ANALYSIS
Houston has now opened the week with back-to-back limited practices due to a knee injury, which he may have suffered in the team's Week 5 win over the Jets. The defensive lineman will have one more chance to log a full practice before Sunday's contest against Carolina.
Oct 8, 2025
Dealing with knee injury
Houston was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Houston played 27 defensive snaps during the Cowboys' Week 5 win over the Jets but still managed to produce with three tackles (two solo), including 1.5 sacks. He had his practice reps limited during Wednesday's session, but he has two more opportunities to increase his participation and avoid an injury designation heading into Sunday's road bout against the Panthers.
Oct 7, 2025
Adds to sack total Sunday
Houston recorded three tackles (two solo) including 1.5 sacks during Sunday's 37-22 win against the Jets.
ANALYSIS
Despite being boxed out for snaps (22) on the edge by rookie second-rounder Donovan Ezeiruaku (42) and Sam Williams (33), Houston picked up a sack for the third time in his last four games in Week 5, bringing his season total to 3.5. He'll be looking to add to that count in Week 6 at Carolina.
Oct 6, 2025
Leads pass rush in Week 5 win
Houston recorded three tackles, including 1.5 sacks, in Sunday's win over the Jets.
ANALYSIS
The Cowboys' pass rush brought down Justin Fields five times and produced 14 QB hits in total, and it was Houston who paced the team in sacks. The 26-year-old edge rusher has 3.5 sacks on the season, and he appears to be back in the form that allowed him to rack up 8.0 sacks in only seven contests as a rookie with the Lions in 2022, before injuries ruined his next two campaigns.
Sep 15, 2025
Secures first sack of 2025
Houston recorded two tackles, including 1.0 sacks, in Sunday's 40-37 overtime win over the Giants.
ANALYSIS
The veteran edge rusher saw limited snaps once again in a rotational role for the Cowboys, but Houston made his opportunities count in this one. Dallas is struggling to find a consistent pass rush in the wake of the Micah Parsons trade -- the team signed Jadeveon Clowney to a one-year deal immediately after Sunday's win -- and Houston could earn more playing time if he continues to make an impact. Injuries have limited him throughout his career, but he did pile up 8.0 sacks in just seven regular-season games for the Lions as a rookie back in 2022. Sunday's sacks was only his second over 15 games since then, however.
Nov 27, 2024
Headed to Cleveland
The Browns claimed Houston off waivers Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
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.
Nov 26, 2024
Waived by Detroit
The Lions waived Houston on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
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.
Aug 25, 2024
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.
ANALYSIS
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.
Aug 8, 2024
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.
ANALYSIS
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.
Apr 15, 2024
Signs ERFA contract
The Lions re-signed Houston to an exclusive rights free agent contract Monday.
ANALYSIS
Houston is coming off a mostly lost 2023 campaign, as a fractured ankle suffered Week 2 kept him sidelined until Detroit's loss to the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. He impressed as a rookie back in 2022, racking up 8.0 sacks despite suiting up for just seven games, so it makes sense for the Lions to re-sign Houston and work to continue his development.
Feb 27, 2024
Season ruined by injury
Houston recorded one tackle in two games during the 2023 season.
ANALYSIS
Houston was expected to handle a large workload as a pass rusher after racking up eight sacks as a rookie in 2022. However, he suffered a fractured ankle in Week 2 and didn't see the field again until the Lions' season-ending loss to the 49ers in the NFC championship game. Now set to become an exclusive-rights free agent at the end of the league year, Houston is a strong candidate to return to Detroit in 2024.
Jan 24, 2024
Full go in Wednesday's walkthrough
Houston (ankle) was a full participant in Wednesday's walkthrough.
ANALYSIS
Houston was activated off injured reserve last week and is now closer to making his return. The 25-year-old is on track to play versus the 49ers on Sunday where he should provide solid depth at linebacker.
Jan 21, 2024
Will stay sidelined
Houston (ankle) is inactive Sunday against the Buccaneers.
ANALYSIS
Houston was activated off injured reserve Thursday, and although he's been practicing with the team, will continue to remain sidelined as he works his way back from a fractured ankle. The second-year pro will need a Lions victory Sunday to get another opportunity to suit up again this season.
Jan 18, 2024
Activated off IR
The Lions activated Houston (ankle) off injured reserve Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Houston has been out since suffering an ankle injury during Detroit's Week 2 loss to the Seahawks but is now set to return for the team's divisional round matchup versus Tampa Bay. The 25-year-old should contribute on special teams and should also provide solid depth behind Derrick Barnes.
Jan 5, 2024
Won't be activated ahead of Week 18
Houston (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Vikings.
ANALYSIS
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.
Dec 28, 2023
Won't return to action Saturday
Houston (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game versus the Cowboys, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The Lions designated Houston to return from IR on Thursday, and he was able to log a limited session in his return to practice. Given that it was his first practice since he fractured his ankle Week 2 versus Seattle, it's not surprising that Houston isn't yet ready for game action. He'll look to make his return in Detroit's regular-season finale Sunday, Jan. 7 versus Minnesota.
Dec 28, 2023
Practice window opens
Houston (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve Thursday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
ANALYSIS
The 25-year-old linebacker has missed the Lions' last 13 games with this ankle issue, but it now seems as if he could be nearing a return. Houston tallied 12 total tackles, including 8.0 sacks in just seven appearances in 2022, and he'd likely serve as a rotational outside linebacker if he's able to return to the field this season.
Dec 11, 2023
Still couple of weeks away
Houston (ankle) is looking at a late December or early January return, according to head coach Dan Campbell, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Houston has been out of action since fracturing his ankle Week 2 against the Seahawks. The Jackson State product was expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks at minimum and has already missed 12, with at least a couple more seemingly on the horizon. The second-year pro will remain on IR for now, but his potential return late in the season would be a significant boost to the Lions' pass rush after Houston was able to record eight sacks in seven games during his rookie campaign.
Sep 19, 2023
Goes to IR
Detroit placed Houston (ankle) on its injured reserve list Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Houston is expected to miss at least six weeks as he recovers from a fractured ankle he sustained in Sunday's 37-31 loss versus Seattle. In his absence, Romeo Okwara is likely to see increased work on the edge.
Sep 18, 2023
Multi-week absence ahead
Houston suffered a fractured ankle in Sunday's 37-31 loss to Seahawks on Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Houston is expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks minimum, with further testing taking place Monday to determine the best route for his recovery. The second-year pro recorded eight sacks in just seven games during his rookie season, so his absence in the weeks ahead is rough news for a Lions defense that has recorded just one sack in two games this season.
Sep 17, 2023
Exits with injury
Houston (ankle) will not return Sunday against the Seahawks.
ANALYSIS
Houston's exit will weaken the depth of Detroit's defensive front for the remainder of their contest against Seattle. He had one tackle before leaving with the injury.
Jan 22, 2023
Notches eight sacks in seven games
Houston recorded 12 tackles with eight sacks and one forced fumble over seven games in 2022.
ANALYSIS
After spending the first nine games of the season on the practice squad, the sixth-round rookie out of Jackson State burst onto the scene by recording five sacks in his first four games. Thanks to a monster three-sack effort in week 17 against Chicago, Houston ultimately finished second among all rookies (behind teammate Aidan Hutchinson) by season's end despite playing just seven games. Now entering his first offseason with more QB takedowns than games played, Houston figures to be in store for a key role in the Lions defense in 2023.
Nov 28, 2022
Signed from practice squad
The Lions signed Houston to the active roster Monday.
ANALYSIS
Houston spent the preseason with Detroit before being waived as part of the team's final roster cuts in late August. The rookie sixth-round pick then joined up with the Lions' practice squad, and he recorded two sacks on four defensive snaps after being elevated ahead of Thursday's loss to the Bills. Houston should now help provide depth at defensive end after Charles Harris (groin) was also placed on injured reserve Monday.
May 19, 2022
Likely headed for off-ball role
Houston will likely be an off-ball linebacker in Detroit's new 4-3 base defense, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Houston's fantasy stock would be higher if he was a possible heir to the middle linebacker role behind Alex Anzalone or even if he was set for an on-the-ball pass rushing role like the one in which he racked up 16.5 sacks and 24.5 TFLs last year at Jackson State. However, it initially doesn't seem like he is headed for either of those spots to begin his career, and the sixth-round rookie still has to make the team to be of fantasy consideration.
Apr 30, 2022
Productive edge rusher to Detroit
The Lions selected Houston in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 217th overall.
ANALYSIS
Houston played sparingly over four years at Florida before transferring to Jackson State of the FCS for the 2021 season. He was utterly dominant at the FCS level, posting 70 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles and an interception over 13 games. Even at a lower level of competition, that level of production is worth taking a flier on.
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