Rocky Boiman a savior? Yes, sort of.

He can play middle linebacker and he knows the Lions system. That's all it takes.

The Lions situation at linebacker has been hurting since training camp started because of injuries. First starting middle linebacker DeAndre Levy was out with a bad back. Then his replacement, Jordon Dizon, was injured in the preseason opening game at Pittsburgh and lost for the season.

Levy was back at practice last week, then injured his groin in the first play of Saturday’s preseason win over the Browns. It’s a possibility he could miss the regular season opener on Sept. 12 at Chicago.

While Vinny Ciurciu is likely to start at middle linebacker in Thursday’s final preseason game, expect Boiman to play even though he just signed on Monday.

“That’s the plan, we didn’t bring him in to stand around. That’s part of the reason he’s the guy we brought in ... He’s a guy who can get up to speed really quickly,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said.

Boiman spent four years with the Tennessee Titans when Schwartz was the defensive coordinator there. Also at the same time Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, was the assistant head coach/linebackers for the Titans. The Lions run a similar system so Boiman should fit right in.

Boiman can also play on the outside, but at least for this game they need him in the middle.

(Follow me on Twitter @paulapasche.)