The Detroit Lions cleared space on their active roster for their Week 7 matchup by releasing linebacker Ty Summers. The Lions moved on from the veteran linebacker just hours before kickoff against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But then about 24 hours later, the team brought back Summers.
The Lions announced on social media Tuesday evening that they re-signed the linebacker to their practice squad.
Summers has mostly played special teams during his six-year NFL career. In two games for the Lions this season, he lined up for 26 special teams snaps. Summers didn’t appear on defense for Detroit in either of those games.
The Green Bay Packers drafted the linebacker at No. 226 overall during the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. During the pre-draft process, Summers tested well, especially in the 40-yard dash. He posted a 4.51 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.
“High-motor player who makes all the calls for the defense. Play strength is a plus,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote. “Asked to play on the edge at times, and showed ability to hold up. Low pad level and sturdy base to anchor in his gap against blockers.
“Patient when scraping with focus on leveraging runner and preventing a backside cut. Heavy tackler with compact strike zone. Possesses tools to specialize on special teams.”
Lions Re-Sign LB Ty Summers
The linebacker began the regular season on the Detroit practice squad. The Lions, though, signed Summers to the active roster ahead of Week 5.
He played 12 special teams snaps in Week 5 and then 14 snaps on special teams the following week.
The Lions released Summers on Monday to make room for some additions in the secondary. The team entered the matchup with the Buccaneers in bad shape health wise in the defensive backfield. The Lions needed every roster spot possible to give the team many defensive back alternatives.
The end result for Summers is he is back to where he started the season.
In 85 NFL games, Summers has posted 89 combined tackles. He’s also registered two pass defenses, one tackle for loss and one fumble recovery.
Summers has started three games in his career. Two of those starts came last season with the New York Giants.
In addition to the Packers and Giants, Summers played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints before signing with the Lions.
Lions Play Stellar Defense Ahead of Bye Week
The slew of defensive backs the Lions had available with several injuries in the secondary were more than good enough Monday night against Tampa Bay. Detroit’s defense dominated the night, holding the Buccaneers to just nine points.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who entered Monday as an early MVP candidate, averaged 4.6 yards per pass and threw an interception. The Lions sacked Mayfield four times.
It was a very strong performance for the Detroit defense, especially with who the unit was missing in the secondary.
The Lions will have a bye this weekend in Week 8. In their next game, the Lions will host the Minnesota Vikings at 1 pm ET on November 2.
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