INJURY NEWS:A little disappointing really that Houston won’t be prepared for the………

Ahead of the Vikings game, Lions injury update: James Houston is not anticipated to play.

James Houston, the edge defender for the Detroit Lions, went back to practice last week. However, coach Dan Campbell has since updated the team that the pass rusher is not anticipated to participate in the regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings.

On Tuesday morning, Campbell stated on 97.1 The Ticket, “I don’t see Houston (playing) right now.”

Houston has been sidelined since his ankle fracture during the team’s Week 2 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. Prior to Detroit’s game against the Cowboys last Saturday, the Lions completed one session before starting his evaluation clock on Thursday. This provides the Lions with two weeks to determine whether to activate him off injured reserve.

Houston unexpectedly emerged in the final few months of the previous campaign, giving Detroit’s pass rush a significant lift. After only seven games, he had 8.0 sacks.

A little disappointing, really, that Houston won’t be prepared for the season finale. Houston stated last week that as a young player, more playing time would be extremely beneficial to him.

“My experience has always been a little bit lacking,” Houston admitted. “I’m not a big football player. I played for a year and a half in high school even. I didn’t play much in college. I even participated in ten games in the league. It’s basically simply experience—observing various formations, feeling various textures, and learning how to fit into various defenses and make plays in various defenses. Simply put, different things of such nature.

Nevertheless, it seems Houston might be headed back for the Wild Card round home playoff game against the Lions. Though he will undoubtedly need to shake off some rust quickly, Detroit’s defense may still be able to capitalize on his special pass-rushing ability.