The Detroit Lions are looking to get back into the win column tonight against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under the primetime lights. It won’t be easy as the Lions are missing a few key guys in their secondary.
However, before the action kicks off, the Lions made a few roster moves on the defensive side of the ball, which included parting ways with a veteran linebacker.
On Monday afternoon, Detroit announced that it released linebacker Ty Summers from the active roster, as it will welcome back Alim McNeil, while promoting three defensive backs from the practice squad.
This is now the second time that Detroit parted ways with Summers. The first time happened last summer when the Lions signed the veteran during the preseason and cut him two weeks later when the intial 53-man rosters due.
Lions Cut Ties with Ty Summers Ahead of Week 7 Kickoff vs. Tampa Bay
The 29-year-old linebacker joined Detroit’s practice squad at the end of September and was immediately signed to the active roster with Zach Cunningham nursing a hamstring injury.
The Lions quickly threw Summers into the fire as he played 12 special teams in Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals, and 14 in Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs. In the days leading up to their Week 7 game against the Buccaneers, the Lions saw Cunningham return to practice and be a full participant.
Cunningham did not have an injury designation next to his name on Detroit’s final injury report, which opened the door for the Lions to send Summers packing. While Summers has some brief experience playing on defense, he’s better suited as a core special teamer, which isn’t bad.
However, a guy like Cunningham, who can start if need be or come in for injury, holds a little bit more value than Summers.
With the veteran defender getting released just hours before kickoff, it will be interesting to see if the Lions bring Summers back to the practice squad in the coming weeks.
As things stand right now, the Lions have 15 players on their practice squad roster, leaving them one spot to sign Summers. Detroit doesn’t have a linebacker on its taxi squad roster, so maybe Summers gets that spot after the Lions get through tonight and into their bye.
On the other hand, the Lions could opt to keep that spot open for another defensive back or pass rusher, as you can never have too much depth.