“The Lions aren’t bringing in high-profile players just yet, but even without that, it’s likely the end of the road for James Houston in Detroit.”
After their bye week, the Detroit Lions are bringing in a new player. According to Greg Auman from FOX Sports, former Buccaneers linebacker Cam Gill is set to join the Lions’ practice squad on Monday, though the team hasn’t officially confirmed the move yet.
Update, 1:07 p.m. ET: The Lions have made some adjustments to their practice squad, officially adding Gill.
Al-Quadin Muhammad, another edge rusher and SAM linebacker, was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2017 when Lions head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn were there.
Gill, an undrafted free agent out of Wagner in 2020, spent four seasons with the Buccaneers. Primarily contributing on special teams (768 snaps) and appearing in 40 games, he also logged 184 defensive snaps, 13 pressures, and 2.5 sacks. However, he missed the entire 2022 season due to a Lisfranc injury suffered in the preseason. Most recently, he was with the Carolina Panthers during this preseason but was waived following an ankle injury in the final game. He had also worked out with the Miami Dolphins as they searched for an edge rusher.
#Lions announce roster moves:
Released S Erick Hallett and K Matthew McCrane from the Practice Squad.
Signed LB Cam Gill and LB Al-Quadin Muhammad to the Practice Squad.
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 7, 2024
Physically, Gill (6’3″, 240 lbs) and Muhammad (6’3″, 250 lbs) are similar to Derrick Barnes, who is currently on injured reserve due to a knee injury from Week 3. Both players may compete for the SAM linebacker role left open by Barnes’ absence.
Signings might mark the end for James Houston as a Lion
Regarding the SAM linebacker position, the Lions initially considered James Houston for the role during the preseason. Despite being on the roster bubble, a sack in the final preseason game secured his spot over others who had performed better in camp and earlier preseason games.
Since then, head coach Dan Campbell has been vague about Houston’s contributions, often using phrases like “he’s here, he’s working” without giving any substantial feedback. Campbell’s limited comments seem to suggest Houston isn’t a key part of the team’s plans.
Houston was a healthy scratch for two of the first three games this season, playing only three snaps in Week 2. In Week 4, when Marcus Davenport’s injury could have provided an opportunity, Houston played 14 snaps but committed more penalties than he generated pressures or tackles.
With an open spot on the Lions’ 53-man roster, it’s unclear how they’ll fill it. The arrival of Gill and Muhammad as potential SAM linebacker options could signal the end of Houston’s time with the team as they emerge from their bye week.
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