CBS Sports: Lions linebacker seizing second-term opportunity.

After practice on Wednesday, Anthony Pittman couldn’t help but smile broadly as he changed at his locker. The 28-year-old linebacker returned to Allen Park following a few months away, which included short spells with other organizations.

A familiar face returned to the Lions’ fold earlier this week when they signed Pittman off 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 star joined the Washington Commanders in March after leaving the Lions over the offseason. He did not, however, make the roster after training camp, and in October he joined the Jaguars’ practice squad. 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.

I was eager to get back to work and was ecstatic. After finding that he was returning to the Lions, Pittman remarked, “I understand how we work here.” “I’m ready because I know we work hard and it’s a gritty group.”

“My family was ecstatic. My fiancé was overjoyed. Being able to spend more time with my family, seeing them, and having their support on game days is incredibly meaningful to me. They are also pleased that I will be around more.

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 experienced with Dave Fipp’s special teams unit and Aaron Glenn’s defense 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 minimal 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 seems like a full circle moment for Pittman, who previously 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 quite remarkable to see how far we’ve gone, 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.