Lions Sam LaPorta Active, James Houston Inactive against Bucs

The Detroit Lions are six-point home favorites against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Unfortunately, linebacker James Houston is unavailable for Aaron Glenn's defense, as he was ruled inactive for the divisional round contest at Ford Field. 

After missing nearly the entire 2023 season, the second-year linebacker was aiming to help his team advance to the NFC Championship Game.

Houston explained to reporters this week, “Every time I go on the field, I just want to do my job. But, I’m a playmaker at heart, so I want to be able to affect the game in any way I can, just be able to change the game.”

The 25-year-old credited the coaching staff for getting re-acclimated in his return to football after many months away. 

Detroit still has a defensive line that has pressured the quarterback more in the second half of the season. 

“I think that was a really good thing the coaches did, allowing me to get back into my body, get back into myself, feel the flow of the game, feel the flow of football just being in the building and being with the guys," said Houston. "I really do credit the coaches for doing that.”

Tight end Sam LaPorta is also active this week, another week removed from hyperextending his knee and suffering a bone bruise in the regular season finale. 

With another week of rehabilitation, it is expected that the second-round draft pick will be an integral part of the gameplan in Ben Johnson's heralded offense. 

Here is an updated list of Lions' inactives for their divisional round contest against the Buccaneers:

• CB Steven Gilmore 

• DL Charles Harris 

• QB Hendon Hooker (emergency quarterback) 

• LB James Houston 

• DL Brodric Martin 

• WR Kalif Raymond 

• S Tracy Walker