Lions make second-year edge rusher James Houston active for NFC Championship

Santa Clara, Calif. — James Houston is back.

After Houston broke his ankle four months ago, and following more than a month of practice to get back into football shape, the Detroit Lions have opted to make the second-year edge rusher part of the team's game-day roster for Sunday's NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers.

Houston suffered the ankle injury while covering a kickoff during Detroit's Week 2 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. That derailed his opportunity to build off an impressive rookie season, when he tallied 8.0 sacks in seven games after getting a midseason call-up from the practice squad.

"Here's the good thing about Houston — this whole offseason he's learned different moves than just being able to bend the corner around guys," Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. "I think we're all looking forward to the different types of techniques he has, as far as being a pass-rusher."

While Houston is active, the Lions scratched seven players from the lineup. Guard Jonah Jackson and wide receiver Kalif Raymond had been ruled out earlier in the week due to knee injuries. Meanwhile, defensive end Charles Harris, safety Tracy Walker, cornerback Steven Gilmore, defensive tackle Brodric Martin and quarterback Hendon Hooker are healthy scratches.

Even though he's inactive, Hooker will dress and be available as an emergency quarterback, in the case where Detroit's starter Jared Goff and backup Teddy Bridgewater are both knocked from the game by injury.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

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