James Houston stormed onto the NFL scene last year the second half of the season.
After making his NFL debut on Thanksgiving for the Lions Week 12, Houston ranked second among all NFL rookies in sacks with 8.0. He owns the record for most sacks through seven career games in NFL history.
He has a unique skillset and an ability to bend without losing speed that makes him a really tough pass rusher off the edge to block. Heading into his second season, both he and the Lions are trying to find ways to keep him on the field for more than just situational rush plays.
"Look we're doing a lot at SAM linebacker when we're in base defense and then certainly he'll play some of that sub D-End or get a chance to on third down," Campbell said this week when asked about Houston's development going into Year 2. "So, we know he has some ability and craft, but we're trying to really expand his horizons if you will.
"Man, if he can play some of this SAM backer, Charles (Harris) is really the starter right now. (Houston) he has to dive into the playbook. He has to know the calls. He has to understand all the adjustments to formations, things of that nature and that's where once he grows, if he can get to that point, now he – potentially, he didn't come off the field, but he has a long way to go before that happens."
That's the challenge given to Houston heading into his second training camp, and credit him for embracing it head on these first few days of camp.
"I look at myself as a football player," Houston said. "I feel like I can play multiple positions on the field so really whatever the team asks me to do I'm willing to do whatever they ask."
View photos from Day 3 of Detroit Lions training camp on Tuesday July 25, 2023.
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31), Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87), Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (21) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5), Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (15), Detroit Lions Wide Receivers Coach Antwaan Randle El during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Trinity Benson (19) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31), Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton (1), Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (21) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32), Detroit Lions cornerback Starling Thomas (49), Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (15) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Derrick Deese Jr. (86), Detroit Lions linebacker Zach Morton (48) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Mohamed Ibrahim (33) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (21) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87), Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41), Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40), Detroit Lions wide receiver Chase Cota (88) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (15) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Assistant Defensive Line Coach Cameron Davis, Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs (96) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Special Assistant to Chairman and President & CEO Chris Spielman, Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Charles Harris (53), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Christian Covington (52) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs (96) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26), Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3), Detroit Lions kicker Riley Patterson (36) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Connor Galvin (76) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (80) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton (1) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Benito Jones (94) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs (96) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32), Detroit Lions Assistant Special Teams Coach Jett Modkins during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Mohamed Ibrahim (33) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Mohamed Ibrahim (33) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Charles Harris (53) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Justin Jackson (38) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Quarterbacks Coach Mark Brunell during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (12) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs (39) during training camp at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The Lions are pretty deep along the edge with Aidan Hutchinson and Harris getting most of the first-team reps to begin camp. Houston, Josh Paschal, John Cominsky, Romeo Okwara and Julian Okwara work in from there. Houston's ability to pick up more of the playbook and understand not only how he fits into the mix but also those around him, will ultimately determine if he can average more than the 20 snaps per game he had as a rookie in 2022.
"That's been my whole focus," Houston said about earning more reps. "Just trying to become a complete player in all aspects of my game and just bring it to another level."
