By Sunday 
The Detroit Lions pulled a surprise move this week, and fans are still trying to process it. Wide receiver Ronnie Bell, a former Michigan Wolverine favorite, has been released from the practice squad. In his place? Linebacker Ty Summers, an old friend making his return to Motown.
Ronnie Bell’s Sudden Exit
For Wolverines faithful, this stings a little. Bell was a summer standout, flashing just enough talent to make people think he had a real shot at cracking the 53-man roster. But when rookie Dominic Lovett secured his spot, Bell’s chances fizzled.
He didn’t play in a regular-season game for Detroit this year, and now, just like that, his time with the Lions has been cut short. For fans who cheered him at The Big House, the news hits with a wave of disappointment.
Ty Summers Is Back in Blue
But out of every roster shakeup comes a twist. Enter Ty Summers — a linebacker who once left a solid impression during Lions training camp. He didn’t stick back then, catching on with the Giants before injuries slowed his run in 2023.
Now, Summers gets a second shot in Detroit. He’s not a flashy signing, but he’s the type of depth piece that can prove invaluable when injuries or fatigue start hitting midseason. For the locker room, it’s a familiar face who already knows the culture.
Why This Move Matters
Sure, practice-squad shifts don’t always grab headlines, but this one tells a bigger story. Detroit is clearly prioritizing defensive depth at linebacker, even if it means saying goodbye to a fan favorite with potential upside at wide receiver.
And if history has taught Lions fans anything, it’s that these “quiet” roster moves sometimes make all the difference when the season tightens up. Summers now has a chance to carve out his role, while Bell’s next chapter — whether with Detroit down the road or somewhere else — remains unwritten.
At the end of the day, it’s the NFL: rosters shift, opportunities come and go, and fan favorites don’t always get the fairy-tale ending. But for Detroit, this move feels both surprising and calculated — a shocker, yes, but maybe one that pays off in the long run.
👉 Lions Nation — what’s your take? Should Detroit have kept Ronnie Bell around, or did they make the right call bringing Ty Summers back? Drop your thoughts below!