In a Bold Twist, the Lions Just Added a Former Packers Linebacker to Reinforce Their Practice Squad

The Detroit Lions are adding an additional linebacker to their practice squad ahead of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Per Aaron Wilson, the Lions are bringing in Ty Summers for his second go around with the team. Summers spent part of training camp with the New York Giants before being released August 6.

Summers has been in the NFL since 2019 as a 7th round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers, spending the first four years of his career with the team. He’d bounce around the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2022-2024), New Orleans Saints (2022-2023), Lions (2024), and Giants (2024-2025).

The majority of his playing time came in 2020 with Green Bay where he appeared in 16 games (1 starts) recording 37 tackles and 1 pass deflection.

Lions bring back former linebacker to shore up practice squad ahead of Week 5

Summers’ Lions stint in 2024 was from August 12 to August 27. He was released at the conclusion of training camp, before being picked up by the Giants. He spent the rest of the season with them, recording 29 tackles in 16 games as a reserve linebacker.

Summers now joins a linebacker room with Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Trevor Nowaske, Grant Stuard, and Derrick Barnes. With veteran linebacker Zach Cunningham dealing with an injury, Summers could fill his role as a special teams “ace”, with Cunningham sidelined.

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The Lions have been notorious for injuries over the past several years, often having an “All-Pro” team on injured reserve as well as the playing field. With the addition of Summers, the Lions gain a linebacker with familiarity in the system, who also has a plethora of experience on special teams.

Detroit is slated to take on the Bengals in Cincinnati, and are looking to improve to 4-1 after a convincing victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 4. With injuries to their cornerback room – specifically, to Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed – we could see some more moves ahead of Week 5 to help add depth back to their defense.