ALLEN PARK >> The Detroit Lions made a move on Tuesday that would have seemed incomprehensible just two seasons ago.

The Lions waived edge rusher James Houston, who had one of the best rookie seasons (2022) for an edge rusher in recent memory but has not returned to that form since.

Asked why it didn’t work out in Detroit, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said, “It just didn’t.”

“It just didn’t. We had James up for a number of games, came back off of injury, got back, and it just never quite worked out,” Campbell said.

Houston, a sixth-round pick by Detroit in 2022, collected eight sacks in seven games during his rookie season and appeared to have a limitless ceiling on what he could become as a pass rusher in the following seasons.

But he appeared to fall out of favor with the coaching staff as early as 2023 training camp — Detroit was unsuccessfully trying to turn him into a well-rounded outside linebacker that could play every down — then broke an ankle in Week 2 of that season while playing on special teams.

He didn’t return until the NFC Championship game, where he had limited snaps (11) and didn’t make an impact on the stat sheet. In training camp before this season, the Lions continued to try to improve other parts of Houston’s game but eventually gave up on the experiment, allowing him to just focus on rushing the passer. He has 13 pressures and just one sack in 2024, even with there being a clear vacancy on the edge following several key injuries.

This time two years ago, Houston was getting called up from the practice squad to make his NFL debut against the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving Day. Houston dazzled in front of a national television audience, sacking Bills quarterback Josh Allen twice as Detroit took Buffalo to the wire in a 28-25 loss that came on a last-second field goal.

Now, before the Lions’ Thanksgiving Day game in 2024, the Lions have decided to move on.

Houston hinted at the potential parting with a cryptic social media post on Monday night. He posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Live… Learn.. Move on” with a peace sign emoji.

“Look, wish him the best of luck, and sometimes you just need a fresh start and this could be great for him, so, wish him the best,” Campbell said.

Houston, 26, is just the third Brad Holmes draft pick to no longer be on the active roster or practice squad (Antoine Green, Chase Lucas).