MINNEAPOLIS -- The Detroit Lions have re-signed linebacker Thurston Armbrister off their practice squad.

Armbrister, who played in 14 games for Detroit last year, was on the team plane to Minnesota and is expected to suit up for Sunday's game against the Vikings. He'll replace Steve Longa, whose father was killed by an SUV in Pennsylvania this week.

Longa doesn't have much of a role on defense, but has been a core member on special teams. Armbrister should be a capable replacement, after logging significant time for the Lions on special teams last year.

The move is not believed to be correlated in any way to the availability of Jarrad Davis. Detroit's top middle linebacker is listed a questionable, but practiced all week and should make his return Sunday, barring a setback.

In the corresponding move, Detroit placed Zac Kerin on injured reserve. Kerin was an offensive lineman who picked up a couple weeks ago and got his first start last week against Minnesota. He played every snap in the game, too, but apparently suffered a knee injury that was bad enough to end his season.