The Detroit Lions made a notable move on Tuesday when they waived former rookie phenom James Houston after two disappointing follow up seasons. He was not on the market long. He has been claimed by the Cleveland Browns.
Houston broke out with the Lions in 2022 when he had eight sacks in seven games after being a practice squad elevation on Thanksgiving.
Houston struggled to regain that presence after an injury took nearly his whole season away in 2023 and after the Lions struggled to make him a SAM linebacker for three seasons. Lions head coach Dan Campbell was asked why the move was made on Tuesday.
“It just didn’t. We had James up for a number of games, came back off the injury and got back, and it just never quite worked out. And look, wish him the best of luck and sometimes you just need a fresh start, and this could be great for him. So, wish him the best.”
Houston heads to a Browns defense that’s been pretty good as of late. They were the top defense in the NFL in 2023. He’ll play for former Lions head coach Jim Schwartz there.
Because Houston was claimed by the Browns, he’ll go right to their active roster.