Returning Linebacker Wants to Be Part of 'Something Special'

Houston eager to return, help Lions win.

The Detroit Lions' defense is set to add plenty of firepower as the regular season nears its end. 

With just two games remaining until the postseason, the Lions have three key contributors who are nearing potential returns. C.J. Gardner-Johnson is in the second week of his return-to-practice window, while James Houston officially returned to practice Thursday. 

Watching the Lions make their division championship run while sidelined has made the Jackson State product yearn for his return. While rehabbing, the defender's felt a sense of urgency to get back in action. 

"We talk all the time in the rehab room. We all want to get back," Houston explained. "Alim, he's been part of it so he knows. He's a little bit more chill, like, 'I'm gonna be back.' Me and Chauncey, man, we're chomping. We're ready to go get out there and go help the team, because we see how good they're doing. They're doing so well without us, and it's like we want to be a part of something special. Everyone wants to be a part of something special."

Houston has been out since Week 2 with a fractured ankle. The second-year defender said recently he was hoping to return before the end of the regular season.

"It's extremely important. I want to be a part of this team," Houston explained. "We're doing really great things. I just want to be a part of something special. I've got to do what I've got to do on my part, so I can be a part of something special. So, I'm extremely excited, I'm ready to get back on the field." 

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In his rookie season, the defender spent the beginning of the season on the team's practice squad. He debuted on Thanksgiving, notching two sacks and giving the defense a spark. 

He finished the season with eight sacks in seven games, igniting expectations for his second season. Houston was expected to be an integral part of the Lions' pass-rush.

However, the injury has forced him to observe the success from the sidelines. 

"It's really special. Like, watching these guys, man, every Sunday, every Saturday, whenever they play, I just got that special feeling in my stomach," Houston stated. "It's like, man, I really wish I was out there. And, they've been doing a great job. I cheer for them, and it's just, I can't believe they're doing so well and I want to be a part of it." 

Houston missing most of the regular season has hindered his development. The young player has been limited in terms of game experience throughout his football career. 

He has played in just nine NFL games to this point, and logged just two full seasons of college football. As a result, being able to watch from the sideline and learn from veterans such as Bruce Irvin has helped make up for his lack of game reps.

Houston mentioned Irvin specifically as a mentor, while adding that he's picked up tidbits of information from watching other NFL games. Without being able to log in-game snaps, he's been forced to learn and grow in a different way. 

"I think just being on the field. I feel like, for me, experience has always kind of been what I've been lacking a little bit. I haven't played much football," Houston stated. "Even in high school, I played like one year of high school. In college I didn't play much, and even in the league, I've played (nine) games. It's really just experience, seeing different formations, seeing how stuff feels, understanding how I fit into different defenses and how I can make plays in different defenses. Just different stuff like that." 

Houston has cleared all the hurdles in rehabbing the injury, but there's still a mental aspect that comes with returning to action after a setback. This can be an intimidating task, especially after a surgery that saw Houston receive a plate and four screws in his injured ankle. 

As a result, the defender is trusting the doctors, as well as his rehab process, as he begins his comeback. 

"Always, coming back from injuries, you've got to understand that the doctor has fixed you," Houston said. "You've gone through your rehab, you've done everything that you've needed to do. So, you've just got to go back out there and play and not think about your injury or else you can get reinsured, or anything can happen out there."