Allen Park, Mich. — The Detroit Lions have made the decision to part ways with defensive end James Houston, a move that comes as the team aims to continue its successful season. This change follows a lack of performance from Houston compared to his promising rookie year.

On Tuesday, the Lions, who currently lead the NFC with a record of 10-1, announced the release of Houston just days ahead of their annual Thanksgiving matchup against the Chicago Bears, who have a 4-7 record this season. Houston made a notable impact during his rookie season, recording eight sacks in seven games after being drafted in the sixth round from Florida. However, injuries plagued him this year; after suffering a broken leg that restricted him to only two games last season, he was able to compete in eight games this year but only managed a single sack.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed the situation, stating, “We had James up for a number of games, it just never quite worked out. Sometimes, you just need a fresh start.” This indicates that the coaching staff recognized Houston’s potential but felt that a change was necessary.

In light of injuries to key players this season, including edge rushers Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, and John Cominsky, the Lions have been challenged defensively. To bolster their roster after these losses, they successfully acquired Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns during the trade deadline, aiming to enhance their defensive capabilities as they continue their playoff push.