Given his injury history it's not overly surprising, but the Detroit Lions might be without veteran edge rusher Marcus Davenport. He did not practice all week due to a groin injury. and he seems likely to miss Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
When offering some injury updates during his media session before Friday's practice, Lions head coach Dan Campbell listed some names who could fill the void left by Davenport's absence against Tampa Bay if that happens (via SI.com).
"Well, the good news is, we get (DJ) Reader back this week,""I feel pretty good about that. So, him coming back now really opens up a little more versatility that we have at the D-line because really, between (Kyle) Peko, and (Alim McNeill) Mac, Levi and Paschal, they can all play anywhere from the nose, three-technique, to the big end."
"So, they’re all going to share that load a little bit if Davenport couldn’t – or is not going to be able to go.”
The reporter who broached the topic apparently mentioned James Houston by name, in light of his being a healthy scratch in Week 1 and Davenport's status being in question.
Campbell left Houston out of his response.
On a related note, in comments to the Detroit Free Press this week, linebacker Derrick Barnes hinted at seeing more action as an edge rusher on Sunday.
Dan Campbell all but declares James Houston is a non-entity for the Lions
As roster cuts loomed, Campbell hinted at a hard decision about Houston after he had a sack in the preseason finale. Houston simply did not outright win a spot on the 53-man roster, despite making it, so his status has been flimsy from the start.
On Wednesday, Campbell was asked what Houston had to do to be in uniform against the Buccaneers.
"So much of it is, you know, it could be him or it's the defensive back. So what's going to bring more to you? And what plays into that is, you know, special teams is a big one. What about injury other areas. So maybe you need the insurance. Some of it is, what production is that going to bring for...How many snaps is he going to get? So I can't answer that clearly, you know, but he's another guy. I mean, he's here, he's working. We'd love to get him up if the possibility presents itself or the opportunity presents itself, and so we'll just take it as it comes."
Houston has been an exception to a general "the more you can do" doctrine Campbell has had with players who are down the pecking order on the roster. The plan to make Houston into more than an edge rusher was literally stopped during the preseason.
If Davenport misses Sunday's game (he's officially listed as doubtful), the one thing it's been deemed Houston can do (rush the passer) would seem to put him in the conversation to help out.
The decision to keep Houston on the initial 53-man roster is starting to feel like a battle Campbell lost with general manager Brad Holmes, as Holmes latched onto one of his draft picks. But Campbell and the coaching staff decide who's in uniform on game day, and Houston's headed for a second straight healthy scratch.
Campbell has now, essentially, confirmed Houston is a non-entity to the Lions until he shows otherwise. When it comes down to it, his days on the roster maybe be numbered.