Former Lions Pass Rusher Fined by NFL After Hit on Jared Goff

A former member of the Detroit Lions is facing discipline from the league following a hit on quarterback Jared Goff during last week’s matchup.

Dallas Cowboys edge defender James Houston, who previously flashed early promise in Detroit before his role diminished, was flagged during the game for a late hit on Goff. The penalty played a key role in swinging momentum toward the Lions and has now resulted in additional consequences from the NFL.

League Penalizes James Houston

On Saturday, the NFL revealed that Houston was fined $5,722 for the fourth-quarter infraction. The hit occurred shortly after Goff connected with wide receiver Jameson Williams on a 29-yard completion. The late-hit penalty tacked on 13 more yards, moving Detroit deep into scoring territory at the 3-yard line.

The Lions capitalized immediately, punching the ball into the end zone on the next snap with a rushing touchdown by Jahmyr Gibbs, extending their lead to 37–27. Detroit held off Dallas the rest of the way, trading scores down the stretch and securing a crucial win.

That victory significantly improved the Lions’ postseason outlook. According to The Athletic’s playoff projection model, Detroit climbed to eighth in the NFC standings and raised its playoff chances to 39%. Those odds could climb even higher this week, though the challenge will be steep. A win over the conference-leading Los Angeles Rams, led by former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, would boost Detroit’s playoff probability to 60%.

Houston’s Uneven Time in Detroit

Houston’s NFL journey has been anything but smooth. Drafted in the sixth round by the Lions, he burst onto the scene as a rookie, racking up eight sacks in just seven games. However, that early success proved difficult to sustain.

Injuries limited Houston to only two appearances in his second season, and he was unable to solidify a consistent role after returning. Detroit ultimately moved on from him last year, and he later signed a two-year, $2.75 million deal with Dallas.

Detroit News reporter Nolan Bianchi noted that Houston struggled to expand his skill set beyond pass rushing, which limited his value.

> “The Lions spent training camp trying to round out Houston’s game, but eventually abandoned the effort and let him focus strictly on getting after the quarterback,” Bianchi wrote. “Despite opportunities created by injuries along the edge, he’s managed just one sack and 13 pressures in 2024.”

Head coach Dan Campbell echoed that sentiment after Houston’s release, explaining that the fit simply never materialized.

> “It just didn’t come together,” Campbell said. “He came back from injury, got opportunities, and it never quite clicked,” via The Detroit News.

Resurgence in Dallas

Since joining the Cowboys, Houston has shown renewed effectiveness. He has totaled 5.5 sacks and has earned recognition as a rising contributor. In October, Bleacher Report analyst Brad Gagnon labeled him a breakout player for Dallas.

> “He hasn’t replaced Micah Parsons,” Gagnon wrote, “but the 26-year-old has notched 3.5 sacks over a four-game span, and his impact has gone well beyond just the stat sheet.”

While Houston’s hit on Goff proved costly both on the field and financially, his resurgence in Dallas suggests his NFL story is still being written.