CHICAGO — Anthony Pittman couldn’t disguise his wide smile as he changed at his locker following Wednesday’s practice. After many months away and brief spells with other organizations, the 28-year-old linebacker returned to Allen Park.

Detroit Lions linebacker Anthony Pittman (57) runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)AP

Pittman, who was formerly on the Jaguars’ practice squad, was just signed by the Lions. The Lions were low at linebacker after injuries to Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, thus Pittman was brought back.

The Detroit native and former Wayne State great departed the Lions over the summer and signed with the Washington Commanders in March. He did not make the roster out of training camp, but did join the Jaguars’ practice squad in October. Pittman, who has returned to Detroit, said he and his family are overjoyed to be reunited with “his guys,” coaches, and staff, whom he considers to be a large family.

“I was quite happy and eager to get back to work. “I know how we work here,” Pittman remarked after learning he was rejoining the Lions. “I know it’s a gritty group, and we go hard, so I’m ready.”

“(My family) was really thrilled. My fiancée was quite thrilled. Family is vital, and simply being able to be closer to them, see them, and have their support on game days means so much to me. They’re glad I’ll be around more.

The undrafted rookie spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Lions, making appearances on both the main roster and the practice squad. With the Lions undermanned as they want to finish the regular season strong, adding someone experienced with Aaron Glenn’s defense and Dave Fipp’s special teams was a wise decision.

“It’s like Dan (Campbell) said: next-man mentality,” Pittman explained. “At the end of the day, Sunday, we’ve got to strap on and play, no matter who’s out there. The most important thing is to ensure that if an opportunity presents itself, you are prepared. There is no time to second-guess or obsess about what happened in the past. We have to go. So that is it.”

Pittman said he’s prepared to step in anywhere the Lions need him as they build their linebacker corps. Given his minimal plays on defense, he’ll most likely contribute on special teams, where he’s played the majority of his snaps in recent years.

Pittman has 1,099 special teams snaps in 17 Lions games over the previous three seasons.

With a 12-2 record and three games remaining, beginning Sunday in Chicago against the Bears, one more victory would give the Lions their finest season in team history. Pittman, who also played high school football at Birmingham Groves, sees this possibly historic final stretch as the Lions pursue Super Bowl dreams as a full circle event.

While it’s a nice feeling to be back home, Pittman understands that whether it’s practice or game day, none of that counts when it comes to the Lions’ performance under Campbell. It is about becoming a dependable asset when his number is called.

“Being from the hometown feels great. Pittman stated, “It’s more special because you go the extra mile because it means more.” “Seeing where we’ve come from — even in the last couple of years, from 2021 when Dan first arrived to now — is pretty remarkable. But it’s business as usual: go to work, get things done, and deliver on game day.”