The Detroit Lions Just Made A Smart, Timely Move To Stabilize Depth At Linebacker & Special Teams
With injuries to both Sione Vaki and Zach Cunningham, the move made perfect sense.
The Detroit Lions have turned back to a familiar face, bringing linebacker Ty Summers back into the fold as roster depth and special teams insurance. Summers, a former seventh-round pick out of TCU who has carved out a reputation as a high-motor, team-first journeyman, returns to Detroit after a preseason stint in 2024 and a full season with the New York Giants.
He may not grab headlines like a splashy free-agent signing, but his versatility, toughness, and special teams value make him the exact type of culture fit Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes continue to prioritize as Detroit pushes deeper into contender status.
Why Is Summers Back?
With recent injuries to RB Sione Vaki (hamstring/groin, Week 3) and LB Zach Cunningham (hamstring, Week 4), the Lions needed immediate reinforcements on special teams. Bringing back Summers—already proven as a special teams ace—fills that gap while adding depth to the linebacker room. Having spent time with Kelvin Sheppard in the linebacker room, and Dave Fipp’s special teams units in 2024, Summers is familiar with both systems.
Opportunity Knocks
Unfortunately, injuries have once again become a major storyline for the Lions in 2025. In his debut against the Ravens, Vaki didn’t make it out of the first half, limping off in the final minutes of the second quarter. Vaki has been dealing with hamstring injuries since the start of training camp, now compounded with the groin injury, Vaki may be down until after the bye week.
Detroit Lions linebacker Zach Cunningham suffered a hamstring injury during a week 4 practice and was ruled out for their Week 4 game against the Cleveland Browns on September 29, 2025. Cunningham has been a steady contributor across all four special teams units—kick coverage, kick return, punt return, and punt coverage—logging 61 snaps this season, 50 of them on special teams.
Fit with the Lions
Depth & Insurance: With Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Grant Stuard, Derrick Barnes, and Trevor Nowaske in the linebacker rotation, Summers provides veteran depth and can step in without disrupting chemistry.
Special Teams Boost: Detroit has emphasized special teams as a winning edge under Dave Fipp. Summers’ return strengthens that unit immediately. Vaki missed the Lions’ Week 1 loss to the Packers due to a hamstring injury he sustained in the final preseason game against the Texans.
Culture Match: Summers’ work ethic and willingness to embrace any role align perfectly with the Lions’ identity. He’s not here to be a star—he’s here to be reliable, accountable, and tough.
Style of Play
Special Teams Specialist: Summers’ bread and butter is special teams. He’s lane-disciplined, physical, and a reliable tackler in space—exactly the type of player coaches trust to stabilize coverage units.
Linebacker Traits: He plays downhill with aggression, takes on blocks willingly, and thrives in short-area tackling situations. However, he’s not a rangy coverage linebacker and can be exposed against athletic tight ends or running backs in space.
High-Motor, High-Character: Summers is known for his relentless effort and team-first mentality. He’s not a star, but he’s the kind of glue player who raises the floor of a roster and embodies the “grit” culture Dan Campbell preaches.
NFL Career Timeline
Green Bay Packers (2019–2021): Drafted in the 7th round (226th overall), Summers carved out a role as a special teams ace. He played 46 games, logging 52 tackles, and became a trusted piece in coverage units, though he never locked down a starting linebacker role.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2022): Briefly claimed off waivers, then shifted to the practice squad. His time in Jacksonville was short, but it kept him in the league as a depth option.
New Orleans Saints (2022–2023): Signed off Jacksonville’s practice squad, Summers provided depth at linebacker and continued to shine on special teams. His reliability in that phase of the game kept him roster-relevant.
Detroit Lions (2024 preseason): Summers flashed in limited preseason action—10 tackles, 2 TFL, and a sack in just two games. Despite being released before final cuts, he left a strong impression on Detroit’s staff.
New York Giants (2024–2025): Played 16 games with two starts, recording 29 tackles and a pass deflection. Once again, his biggest impact came on special teams, where he logged over 270 snaps.
Detroit Lions Return (2025): Re-signed to Detroit’s practice squad in September 2025. With injuries at linebacker and special teams, Summers’ familiarity with the system and proven grit made him a natural fit to bring back.
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Rock’s Final Take:
With the Lions inching closer to their Week 8 bye, Ty Summers’ second stint in Detroit could last a week—or stretch longer depending on how the roster shakes out. With injuries to both Sione Vaki and Zach Cunningham, the move made perfect sense. Their uncertain timelines leave the linebacker room and special teams unit in need of immediate reinforcement, and Summers provides exactly that. The Detroit Lions Just Made A Smart, Timely Move To Stabilize Depth At Linebacker & Special Teams.
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