It was simply a brutal injury day for the Detroit Lions on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. At almost any moment, someone had left the game, was being looked at on the sideline, etc.
Edge rusher James Houston left the game with an ankle injury, and Dan Campbell's post-game update was as brief as it was dismal (h/t to SI.com).
"I think Houston will be out for a little while,” Campbell said.
Monday morning, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reported Houston suffered a fractured ankle and he is expected to miss at least 6-8 weeks. Further testing on Monday will determine if he needs surgery, and if he'll be out longer.
#Lions pass-rusher James Houston suffered a fractured ankle, sources tell me and @TomPelissero, an injury that knocks him out at least 6-8 weeks. He’ll have more testing today to determine if he’ll need surgery and how much longer he would be out. Houston had 8 sacks last year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 18, 2023
Houston had a breakout stretch run to his rookie season last year, with eight sacks in seven games after being elevated to the active roster from the practice squad. A lagging Lions' pass rush over the first two games this season could certainly use what he can bring.
But Houston only played 21 snaps in Week 1, then 11 before his injury on Sunday. It's worth wondering if he was injured covering Seahawks tight end Noah Fant downfield, which further highlights defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn's shortcomings during the game.
Lions lose more edge rusher depth with James Houston out
Julian Okwara was put on IR to start the season, and Josh Paschal (knee) landed on IR over the weekend after being injured in last Thursday's practice. Now Houston is out for several weeks. So what looked like an area where the Lions have good depth has been quickly thinned some.
Rookie linebacker Jack Campbell was deployed off the edge a couple times on Sunday after Houston was injured, which is a way to get him on the field more than a way to use him effectively. Romeo Okwara played 27 snaps on Sunday after being inactive in Week 1. Aidan Hutchinson has rarely left the field over two games, and Charles Harris hasn't made much impact. John Cominsky is in line for a larger role.
If Houston needs surgery on his ankle, being out for the season would be on the table, if not confirmed. But as it is right now, on Monday morning, he'll only be out until almost Thanksgiving.