James Houston remains on track to return in time for the playoffs.
The Detroit Lions edge rusher hasn’t played since fracturing his ankle in Week 2, but he is now out of a boot and was working on the side with a trainer during Friday’s practice. Houston hopes to return to the team next month, and be full-go in time for the postseason.
“I do think this (injury) is one you can come back from pretty quickly once it’s healed and he’s out and about,” head coach Dan Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket this week. “But he still has to get out there, he’s got to practice, get his feet under him, get the mental side of it. So, I don’t know. Until he’s out there, it’s hard to say what he’s going to look like.”
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The Lions could certainly use the help in their pass rush, where they’ve produced one sack or none at all in six of their nine games this season. Aidan Hutchinson has been good, racking up 4.5 sacks and 52 pressures — that’s third most in the league — but the rest of the edge rushers combine for just 4.5 sacks and 58 pressures.
Detroit tried benching Charles Harris in favor of Julian Okwara in recent weeks, but that hasn’t been the answer either. More recently, it signed former Seahawks pass rusher Bruce Irvin to the practice squad. Irvin isn’t in football shape though, and probably needs another week before he’s ready to contribute.
Guard Jonah Jackson also missed practice because of a wrist injury he sustained against the Chargers, and his status against Chicago is in jeopardy. Defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs also did not participate.
