Justin Houston quietly returns with Colts to face Kansas City Chiefs

Justin Houston is coming back to Kansas City to face his long-time team in Week 5 when the Indianapolis Colts visit the Chiefs.

Judging by the lack of headlines or even social media buzz, you’d think Justin Houston had played for the Indianapolis Colts for the last eight years. The former Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher ranks as one of the best sack artists in team history, but both his departure (and now arrival) have been eerily quiet. It’s as if Chiefs Kingdom moved on before Houston was ever officially released.

The Colts will visit Arrowhead Stadium in Week 5 for a Sunday night showdown in primetime that should give Houston plenty of opportunity to remind everyone what he is capable of. Of course, Chiefs fans are hoping to see more reasons why he’s no longer with the team given the fact that a win over the Colts helps put another team in the rearview mirror for AFC postseason positioning.

Houston was released by the Chiefs this spring along with Eric Berry in a series of cost-cutting measures intended to help reconstruct the team’s defense under coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Houston signed a two-year deal with the Colts to help provide pass rushing help and leadership on a young ascending team. At the time of his signing, Houston said he had “plenty in the tank” and that ” it’s more so what I’m about to show the world than myself, because I know what I’m capable of.”

After eight years with the Chiefs, Houston finished his tenure in Kansas City as the franchise’s single-season sack leader (22) and fourth overall in career sacks (78.5). He’s fifth all-time in forced fumbles (14) and 11th in batted passes (32). He was a first-team All-Pro in 2014 and made four consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl from 2012-2015.

So far this season, Houston has 11 tackles, 3 quarterback hits and 1 sack in four starts for the Colts.