Dallas Cowboys sign pass rusher James Houston ahead of first training camp practice

The Dallas Cowboys have made a signing ahead of their first training camp practice in Oxnard, Calif. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Cowboys have signed pass rusher James Houston.

Defensive end Luiji Vilain was released in a corresponding move. Houston, 26, worked out for the team Monday. He joins the Cowboys after spending the 2024 season with the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns. Houston played in eight games for the Lions, tallying one sack and eight tackles (five solo). The Browns claimed him off waivers in November. Houston failed to get on the stat sheet in three games with Cleveland.

Houston, Detroit’s 2022 sixth-round selection, compiled eight sacks, seven tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits in seven games during his rookie campaign. He suffered a fractured right ankle in Week 2 in 2023, ending his season.

When Houston has been on the field, he’s been a disruptive force, posting a double-digit pass-rush win rate in each season he’s been in the NFL. Last season, Micah Parsons and Osa Odighizuwa were the only Cowboy pass rushers with at least 75 pass-rush snaps and a 10% plus win rate, per John Owning of Pro Football Focus.

Cowboys make pass rush depth signing amid Micah Parsons contract drama

Houston will look to stick as a depth option behind Parsons, Dante Fowler, Marshawn Kneeland, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Sam Williams among others. The Cowboys had 52 sacks as a squad in 2024, Parsons leading the way with 12.

Parsons, entering the final year of his rookie deal, is seeking a long-term contract extension. Parsons arrived at training camp Tuesday and will be a participant, head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. Team owner Jerry Jones addressed the contract situation Monday.

“Just because we sign him doesn’t mean we’re going to have him. [Parsons] was hurt six games last year. Seriously. We’ve signed — I remember signing a player for the highest-paid at their position in the league. He got knocked out for two-thirds of the year, Dak Prescott,” Jones said. “So, there’s a lot of things you can think about. Just as the player does, when you’re thinking about committing and guaranteeing money.”