The Detroit Lions could be getting James Houston back just in time for their playoff run.
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell joined 97.1 The Ticket for his weekly radio appearance on Tuesday morning. In a nice chat, Campbell expressed the feelings he had about winning the NFC North, gave owner Sheila Hamp a bunch of credit, and also gave some important injury updates.
For those wondering if C.J. Gardner-Johnson could play this week after returning to practice last week from his torn pectoral, Campbell seemed to suggest it was certainly possible
“C.J.’s close. He’s close,” Campbell said. “We’ve got to decide what we’re going to do there and just how close is ‘close.’”
Of course, the Lions could wait to be secure. Right now, their sole goal is to secure a playoff seed, with the top three seeds having the opportunity to advance to any position. Furthermore, Ifeatu Melifonwu, the Lions’ safety, is playing a great game right now.
“He plays a part. He is only becoming mor
e and more skilled. “He’s innate,” Campbell remarked following the Vikings victory on Sunday. “You can see how athletic she is. He engages in physical play. He is only becoming more and more skilled. He really is, I promise. When “Ducey” returns, we’re going to have a great problem. It merely adds another dramatist to the mix.
More importantly, though, Campbell provided a very positive update on edge rusher James Houston, who has been out with an ankle fracture.
Although Campbell’s statement was not entirely clear, it appears that Houston will resume practice this week. The Lions play the Cowboys on Saturday, so practice on Tuesday is likely to be a walkthrough given their short week. Houston might then be seen on the pitch.
Getting him back in the starting lineup might help Detroit achieve some significant outcomes. Houston’s explosiveness might be the spark the Lions have been lacking all season as they have struggled to find a reliable pass rusher to replace Aidan Hutchinson. In just seven game appearances last year, Houston recorded 8.0 sacks.
In addition, Campbell gave a general update on Alim McNeill, the Lions defensive tackle who has been out of the last three games due to injury.
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