The Detroit Lions made some roster moves on Tuesday. Surprisingly, not one that everyone thought they would make. I’m sure everyone thought a cornerback would be coming after D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold’s injuries. Instead, they made two moves that have nothing to do with the 53-man roster.
Lions released WR Ronnie Bell from the practice squad and signed LB Ty Summers to the practice squad
Bell had a good summer, and for a hot second, it seemed like he had a shot to make the 53-man roster, but that went away when Dominic Lovett earned the spot. The former Michigan Wolverine did not play a regular-season game for the Lions this year.
Summers is actually someone who’s already played for the Lions. He was on the roster during training camp last summer, and he was actually really impressive in the two preseason games he played. He had a 79.2 Pro Football Focus grade in one and an 89 grade in the other. He racked up four tackles and two sacks in those games. It was a bit surprising when the Lions did not bring him back on thier practice squad.
Summers instead signed with the New York Giants. Summers played in the regular season for the Giants for four games and started two. He was pretty good in both starts. The Giants brought him back, and then after he suffered a groin injury this summer, they released him. Now he’s back in Detroit. This is a pretty good depth move for this team. He can be someone whom you might actually see play.
Indianapolis Colts All-Pro Suddenly Retires
Veteran cornerback Xavien Howard joined the Indianapolis Colts in August when they really needed secondary help. He started all four games for the Colts this year, but on Wednesday he decided to call it quits and retire from the NFL.
Howard provided a statement to Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald explaining his decision.
“Throughout my career I’ve always played football for the love of the sport,” Howard said. “I enjoyed everything that came with being a part of the NFL, it was my passion for the game that drove me. I love and appreciate the Miami Dolphins for drafting me and giving me the chance to play pro football. I cannot thank the Indianapolis Colts enough for letting me continue to live out my dream but my dream has now changed.
“I’ve been getting closer to God and asking that He directs my path. I am a man of faith and I believe wholeheartedly that He doesn’t make mistakes. He has led me to ending my career. I am now putting God and my priorities first. When I was away from the game in 2024, I fell in love with taking my kids to school, doing activities with them and watching them grow up. Up to that point I had always put my family after football. I’m no longer willing to do so. So today I am retiring from the National Football League.”
Xavien Howard says he wants to spend more time with his kids
Howard was a second-round pick of the Miami Dolphins back in 2016 and was first-team All Pro in 2020 and second-team All Pro in 2018. Outside of winning a championship, Howard has certainly had an incredible career.
“My purpose has been fulfilled in this sport, but my kids are more important to me than football,” Howard said. “I’ve had a hell of a career, and even though it’s ending in a unique way, I’m cool with that because for once I’m putting my family first and I’m proud and excited about that decision.”
Howard was released by the Dolphins following the 2023 season in which he suffered a foot injury. He wasn’t on a roster in 2024 and didn’t get back into the NFL until he signed with Indianapolis.
Xavien Howard had a rough day on Sunday against the Rams
While Howard has had an exemplary NFL career, he was struggling this season with the Colts. According to Pro Football Focus, his 34.2 overall grade was dead last among 102 qualifying corners. Not only that, opposing quarterbacks had a 139.2 passer rating when throwing his way.
“We will evaluate everyone every game,” Colts’ defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said this week. “Certainly, X is a player on the team, so he’s certainly going to get evaluated.
“Credit to the Rams and their receivers and Matthew. Stafford is one of the better quarterbacks that have been around and certainly worthy of Hall of Fame consideration at some point. But yeah, not only X, but everybody will always be evaluated each week based on performance…it’s not just one guy.
“We’ll always take a look at those things and move forward accordingly.”
Even though Howard wasn’t playing very well, it’s still someone else the Colts will have to replace in the secondary.
