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Lions-Bucs inactives: James Houston back in pass rush rotation with Marcus Davenport out

James Houston is back in the Detroit Lions' pass rush rotation, for a game at least, with Marcus Davenport out with a groin injury.

Davenport, who did not practice last week and did not finish the Lions' Week 1 win over the Los Angeles Rams, is one of seven inactives for the Lions for today's game at Ford Field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2 of the NFL season.

Rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw, safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (Achilles), rookie receiver Isaiah Williams (abdomen), linebacker Trevor Nowaske and offensive linemen Gio Manu (rookie) and Colby Sorsdal also are inactive for the Lions.

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Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kyle Allen (4) during the first half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, August 24, 2024.
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kyle Allen (4) during the first half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, August 24, 2024.

Houston was a healthy scratch against the Rams last week after earning one of the Lions' final roster spots in preseason. One of the team's sack leaders as a rookie, Houston missed most of last season with a broken leg.

Lions coach Dan Campbell was non-committal when asked how Houston could get back in the playing group.

"A lot of it is, 'OK, it could be him or it’s the defensive back,'" Campbell said this past week. "What’s going to bring more to you and what plays into that is, and special teams is a big one. What about injury at other areas? So, maybe you need the insurance. Some of it is, what kind of production is that going to bring or how many snaps is he going to get? So, I can’t answer that clearly, but he’s another guy – I mean he’s here, he’s working, we’d love to get him up if the possibility presents itself or the opportunity presents itself, and so we’ll just take it as it comes.”

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Defensive tackle D.J. Reader will make his Lions debut today after missing last week's game as part of his return from a torn quad tendon.

Wide receiver Jameson Williams, right tackle Penei Sewell and safety Kerby Joseph are active after being listed as questionable with injuries.

Dave Birkett is the author of the new book, "Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline." Preorder it now from Reedy Press.

Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions vs Bucs inactives: Marcus Davenport out; Jameson Williams to play