Detroit Lions Elevate LB James Houston IV to Active Roster

The Detroit Lions elevated James "The Problem" Houston IV from its practice squad for their Thanksgiving Day game against the Buffalo Bills.
Detroit Lions Elevate LB James Houston IV to Active Roster
Detroit Lions Elevate LB James Houston IV to Active Roster /

HOUSTON, TX - The Detroit Lions elevated linebacker James Houston IV from the practice squad to the active roster. The former Jackson State star linebacker will wear No. 59 and play against the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving Day.  

James Houston
Lions linebacker James Houston, center, practices during minicamp in Allen Park on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Credit:© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Detroit selected Houston as the 217th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

James "The Problem" Houston was a playmaker for the Jackson State Tigers' defense in 2021. The HBCU standout recorded 70 tackles, 24.5 tackles for a loss, 16.5 sacks, and an interception in 2021.  

The 6-1 and 241-pound rookie had three game appearances with the Lions during the 2022 NFL Preseason. He recorded three tackles (2 solo, 1 assist) and participated on special teams.

Rookie LB James Houston; Credit: Detroit Lions
West quarterback Brock Purdy of Iowa State (15) is flushed out of the pocket by East linebacker James Houston IV of Jackson State (41) during the East\West Shrine Bowl at Allegiant Stadium
Feb 3, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; West quarterback Brock Purdy of Iowa State (15) throws the ball under pressure from East linebacker James Houston IV of Jackson State (41) in the second half of the East-West Shrine Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jackson State University's James Houston tries to stop University of Louisiana-Monroe's Rhett Rodriguez during their game at Malone Stadium in Monroe, La., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. Tcl Jsuvulm4; Credit:© Eric Shelton/Clarion Ledger via Imagn Content Services, LLC
HBCU Stars at 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl; S Cory Rahman (TSU), DE/LB James Houston (JSU), S Markquese Bell (FAMU), QB Aqeel Glass (AAMU), CB CJ Holmes (JSU), and WR Ezzard (SHSU); Credit: Debonaire, Inc. from Jackson, MS
James Houston; JSU Athletics

Houston, 24, is a Fort Lauderdale native from American Heritage high school. The Florida Gators recruited Houston in 2017. He later played in the 2018 and 2019 seasons before transferring to Jackson State.

The Deion Sanders disciple was named SWAC 2021 Newcomer of the Year and earned Associated Press FCS All-American team honors en route to the NFL.


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