James Houston made an instant mark in his first NFL game, and he has continued to be a big problem for Lions’ opponents.
Be it due to lack of ideal size, or competition level concerns having spent his final college season at Jackson State (thus diminishing the perception of the big production he had), James Houston fell to the Detroit Lions in the sixth round (pick No. 217) of the 2022 draft. For a young team trying to build, there were worse late-round fliers to take.
Houston did not make the Lions’ 53-man roster out of training camp, but no other team snapped him up and he stayed in Detroit on the practice squad. Head coach Dan Campbell said he was looking forward to seeing the rookie edge rusher in games at some point.
Houston was finally promoted to the active roster for Week 12, Thanksgiving Day, against the Buffalo Bills. He made an immediate impact, with two sacks of Josh Allen on five snaps.
Houston, nicknamed “Da Problem”, followed with sacks in Week 13, Week 14 and Week 15. Five sacks in 48 total defensive snaps is obviously impressive.
After going without a sack in Week 16, Houston had an outburst Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
James Houston getting after quarterbacks like he’s being called to do
Houston had three sacks of Justin Fields on Sunday. The last one was the most impressive. After dropping into coverage, which is a sign of the broader progress he has made that he was asked to do that, he saw Fields break the pocket. Then he closed incredibly quickly, and brought down the Bears’ mobile signal caller.
Recognition. Athleticism and closing speed. Finishing the play.
It's me, hi, I'm Da Problem, it's me.#CHIvsDET | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/jfgKy9v2we
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 1, 2023
Despite playing just six games, Houston has usurped teammate Aidan Hutchinson for the NFL rookie lead with eight sacks. That’s also an NFL record for sacks in someone’s first six career games.
Houston ended up a little bloody after that final takedown of Fields, with cuts above one of his eyes and on the bridge of his nose as his visor pushed into his face. Via Will Burchfield of 97.1 The Ticket, Houston surely sees that as a small price to pay for doing what he’s supposed to do–sack the quarterback.
"That’s what I do,” Houston said, “so I’m just playing football.”"
With Hutchinson and Josh Paschal (who had his first two career sacks on Sunday) joined by Houston, who played a career-high 33 defensive snaps on Sunday, the Lions’ pass rush is becoming a current and future problem for opponents.