After practice on Wednesday, Anthony Pittman couldn’t help but smile broadly as he dressed at his locker. The 28-year-old linebacker returned to Allen Park following a few months away, which included short stints with other organisations. A familiar face returned to the Lions’ fold earlier this week when they signed Pittman from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad. The Lions needed Pittman to return since they were depleted at linebacker due to injuries to Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Alex Anzalone.
The Detroit native and former Wayne State standout left the Lions in the summer, signing with the Washington Commanders in March. However, he didn’t make the roster out of training camp and joined the Jaguars’ practice squad in October. Pittman stated he and his family are excited to be back in Detroit and be reunited with “his guys,” coaches, and staff, whom he views as a large family. The Detroit native and former Wayne State standout left the Lions in the summer, signing with the Washington Commanders in March. However, he didn’t make the roster out of training camp and joined the Jaguars’ practice squad in October. Pittman stated he and his family are excited to be back in Detroit and be reunited with “his guys,” coaches, and staff, whom he views as a large family.
The Lions were where the undrafted rookie played on the active roster and practice squad for the first four years of his NFL career. It was a great idea to add someone who is familiar with Dave Fipp’s special teams unit and Aaron Glenn’s defence because the Lions are undermanned as they try to end the regular season strong.
According to Pittman, “it’s like Dan (Campbell) said: next-man mentality.” “No matter who we have out there, we have to get strapped up and play on Sunday.” The most important thing is to make sure you’re prepared for the chance, if it presents itself. There is no time to reflect on the past or to worry about it. We must leave. That concludes it.
Pittman stated that he is prepared to fill in wherever necessary as the Lions assemble their linebacker corps. He’s probably going to contribute mostly on special teams, where he’s played the majority of his snaps in recent years, given his limited defensive snaps. Pittman recorded 1,099 special teams snaps in 17 Lions games throughout the previous three seasons.
With three games left, beginning Sunday against the Bears in Chicago, with a 12-2 record, the Lions would have their finest season ever with one more win. Being a part of this possibly historic final stretch as the Lions pursue Super Bowl hopes feels like a full circle moment for Pittman, who also played high school football at Birmingham Groves.
Although it’s a unique feeling to come home, Pittman is aware that the Lions’ standards under Campbell are unaffected by practice or game day. Being a dependable asset when his number is called is the goal. “It feels great to be from the hometown. You put in a little more work because it means more, which makes it more unique,” Pittman said. It’s truly remarkable to see how far we’ve come, even in the last few years, from 2021, when Dan first arrived, to the present. However, everything continue as usual: report to work, attend to business, and produce on game day.