The Detroit Lions have formally activated edge rusher James Houston from injured reserve and waived edge rusher Julian Okwara in a corresponding transfer.
Houston injured his ankle/decrease leg in early September and was positioned on injured reserve to get well. Three weeks in the past, he was wholesome sufficient to start practising and the Lions opened his 21-day analysis window and he started practising. With that window set to run out, the Lions made the choice that he was wholesome sufficient to activate to the 53-man roster.
The Lions move rush has been restricted for a lot of the season, with Aidan Hutchinson accounting for almost all of Detroit’s manufacturing. Defensive deal with Alim McNeill has additionally contributed from the inside, however discovering an edge rusher that may persistently carry strain reverse Hutchinson has been an issue.
The addition of Houston, who had eight sacks within the closing seven video games of the 2022 season, could possibly be simply what is required to assist carry a lift to the protection.
“I really feel like I’m a particularly explosive participant. I prefer to say I’m a game-changer,” Houston mentioned in December. “So I really feel like that’s what I might assist with, particularly within the move rushes, sacks, compelled fumbles. All varieties of issues.”
Whereas Houston might probably carry some extra warmth to the Lions entrance, don’t anticipate him to be an every-down contributor. In truth, it’s greater than possible that he’ll tackle a pass-rushing specialist position, much like how Bruce Irvin contributed down the stretch of the common season.
Okwara, who was additionally in rivalry for this position, was by no means capable of settle in to a constant routine, and that inconsistency is probably going what led to his launch. Okwara shall be subjected to waivers, and if claimed, he’ll be part of the claiming workforce following the Tremendous Bowl. If unclaimed, he’s free to signal with any workforce of his selection—together with the Lions—and will be part of them on their lively roster or follow squad.
