Lions activate LB James Houston from injured reserve

Field Level Media|published: Thu 18th January, 14:02 2024

Aug 25, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) drops back under pressure from Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. credits: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions activated James Houston from injured reserve on Thursday and waived fellow linebacker Julian Okwara.

Houston was designated to return from IR on Dec. 28. He had been sidelined since fracturing his right ankle in Detroit's 37-31 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 17.

Houston is in line to play on Sunday afternoon when the Lions host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFC divisional round playoff game.

"I'm ready to get out there," Houston said, per the Detroit Free Press. "It looks like it's fun. They're winning and the whole city is behind them, so I want to be out there."

Houston, 25, recorded eight sacks in seven games (two starts) last season after being selected by the Lions in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Okwara, 26, has totaled seven tackles and two sacks in nine games (one start) this season.

—Field Level Media