Lions Still Gauging if Houston Is Ready to Return
The Detroit Lions activated James Houston Thursday, returning him to the active roster for the first time since Week 2, waiving Julian Okwara in a corresponding move.
While Houston is on the active roster and expects to play himself, the Lions are still determining whether or not the talented defender will be in action on Sunday.
The Lions took the decision on Houston up until the final day of his 21-day evaluation clock. He's progressed each week, but the Lions remain uncertain about what his workload will look like on Sunday.
"Yeah, I mean we've still got to gauge to see if we feel like he will be ready," Campbell said. "I know this, he's better, he's a lot better this week than he was last week. That's the progression of it, right? Every week, he should start to get his legs back under him, feel good about it. We've got to decide if we really believe that, if he goes, are we gonna get the production relative to who we're sitting for the rest of the team? I know this, he looks a ton better. I know he wants to go, I mean who wouldn't? But he's done a nice job coming back."
Houston's ability to be an impact player was on full display last season. After beginning on the practice squad, he totaled eight sacks over the final seven games of last season.
Stopping Mike Evans
The Lions secondary has been battered in recent weeks while squaring off with some of the league's best wide receivers. Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb and Puka Nacua have given the unit fits over the last four games.
It won't get easier Sunday, as Tampa Bay boasts a solid duo in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. With quarterback Baker Mayfield's ability to distribute the ball to his pass-catchers and the Buccaneers' affinity for taking deep shots out of max-protect pass sets, the Lions know that pass rush will be key.
Additionally, Campbell knows the importance of taking away the big play opportunities that could come from connections between Mayfield and Evans.
"We've got to find a way to squeeze this in on Baker," Campbell said. "If you let him sit back there and play with rhythm and a hitch, it's dangerous because he will get it up to his guys and he's gonna give them a chance to make a play. But Evans, he's an issue and our guys know that. We can't let him go off."
