The Lions’ rusher is not scheduled to feature in the season finale

admin | January 2, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The Detroit Lions are hoping to see important defenders Ceedy Duce and Alim McNeill return for their regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

It appears that James Houston will not be included in that mix.

“I don’t see Houston (playing) right now,” Campbell stated on 97.1 The Ticket on Tuesday morning.

Houston had eight sacks in seven games as a rookie last year, the most by any player in that many games to begin a career. Despite not making his debut until Thanksgiving, he was second among all rookies in sacks for the season.

Houston’s chances of a prominent position alongside Aidan Hutchinson in Year 2 were high, but they didn’t last long. Houston shattered his fibula on a special-teams play in Week 2 and had surgery to place a plate and four screws into his leg.

He stated last month that he planned to return in time to play multiple games before the start of the playoffs, but that has proven to be wishful thinking. Houston didn’t even begin practicing until last week, and it now appears like at least another full week of work is required before he’s ready to suit up.

The good news is that Duce, who has been out since Week 2 due to a torn pec, is on course to make an astonishing three-month comeback. He’s likely to play against Minnesota, and McNeill, who has been sidelined with a knee injury for the last four weeks, could join him, providing a good opportunity for two crucial defenders to get their football legs under them before the playoffs begin next week.