Lions' Tom Kennedy: Season-ending surgery confirmed
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Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed Monday that Kennedy will undergo season-ending surgery to repair an MCL injury in his right knee, Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports.
Kennedy sustained the knee injury while returning a punt during the second quarter of Sunday's 45-21 win over the Cardinals. The veteran wide receiver is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but he'll nonetheless shift his focus toward being fully healthy for the 2027 season. Jacob Saylors will take over return duties on kickoffs and may also work as a returner on punts given the Lions' hesitation to use Amon-Ra St. Brown as the full-time returner on punts, per Bianchi.
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Lions' Tom Kennedy: Done for 2026
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Kennedy suffered a season-ending MCL injury in his right knee during the Lions' 45-21 win over the Cardinals on Sunday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Kennedy suffered the injury early in the second quarter on a punt return for 11 yards. He was spotted on crutches following Sunday's contest, and further tests revealed that the MCL injury is significant enough for Kennedy to undergo season-ending surgery. He'll shift his focus toward rehab in the hopes that he's fully healthy for the start of the 2027 season, though he'll enter the offseason as an unrestricted free agent. In Kennedy's absence, Jacob Saylors figures to take over return duties on kickoffs, although whether the Lions go with star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown or another option on punt returns remains to be seen.
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Lions' Tom Kennedy: Leaves game on crutches
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Kennedy (knee) left Sunday's 45-21 win over the Cardinals on crutches, Richard Silva of The Detroit News reports.
Kennedy suffered a right knee injury in the second quarter, and he had a brace on it as he departed the stadium Sunday. The wide receiver appears to be set to miss action moving forward, and his absence will mostly impact the team's special-teams unit.
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Lions' Tom Kennedy: Downgrades to out Sunday
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Kennedy (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Kennedy suffered a knee injury early in the second quarter and was evaluated for it. The injury is significant enough to keep the wide receiver out of the entire second half, leaving Amon-Ra St. Brown to take over return duties in his stead.
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Lions' Tom Kennedy: Exits early with knee issue
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Kennedy (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's contest against the Cardinals.
Kennedy suffered a knee injury on a punt return early in the second quarter, and almost every Lion was down on one knee as the medical staff tended to him, per Richard Silva of The Detroit News. The wide receiver seems unlikely to be available for the rest of the contest, and in his absence, Amon-Ra St. Brown has taken over as Detroit's primary punt returner.
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Lions' Tom Kennedy: Signs to active roster
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The Lions signed Kennedy from their practice squad to their active roster Thursday.
Kennedy initially missed the cut for Detroit's 53-man roster for 2026, but he's now back in the fold with Week 1 looming. He could be tasked with punt-return duties Sunday versus the Saints.
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Tom Kennedy: Staying in Detroit on practice squad
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Kennedy signed with the Lions' practice squad Monday.
Kennedy failed to make the Lions' 53-man roster and was released Sunday, but he'll stay in Detroit as a member of the team's practice squad. He signed with the Lions in May of 2019 as an undrafted free agent and has appeared in 30 regular-season games for the organization. Kennedy appeared in four regular-season games last year, contributing both on offense and special teams as a returner on kickoffs and punts.
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Lions' Tom Kennedy: Makes impact late in 2025
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Kennedy recorded four receptions for 36 yards across six regular-season games with the Lions in 2025. He also recorded 447 yards on 16 kick returns and 50 yards on three punt returns.
Kennedy didn't make the Lions' roster out of training camp, but he did manage to secure a spot on the practice squad. He appeared in the team's final six games due to injuries to the rest of the team's receiving corps, with all of his offensive production coming Week 13. He also served as the primary kick returner for Detroit down the stretch, averaging 27.9 yards on his 16 returns. Kennedy is a restricted free agent this offseason, meaning he can easily be retained by the Lions if they choose to tender him.
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Lions' Tom Kennedy: Nursing rib injury
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Kennedy (ribs) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against Chicago.
Kennedy suffered an injury to his ribs in the fourth quarter, and his status for the remainder of the contest is now up in the air. In his absence, Kalif Raymond and Jacob Saylors are top candidates to see added work at kick returner for Detroit.
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Lions' Tom Kennedy: Ready for Thursday's game
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Kennedy (abdomen) is active for Thursday's game against the Vikings.
Kennedy was initially listed as questionable for Week 17, but he's been cleared to suit up Christmas Day. He'll handle his usual role as Detroit's top kick returner while also contributing as a depth option at wide receiver.
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Lions' Tom Kennedy: Nursing abdominal injury
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Kennedy (abdomen) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's estimated practice report.
Kennedy was limited in Monday's walkthrough session due to an abdominal injury that he may have sustained during Sunday's loss to the Steelers, when he turned three kickoff returns into 77 yards. The limited tag indicates the injury isn't considered severe, and he would be on track to play against the Vikings on Christmas day were he to log a full practice over the next two days.
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Lions' Tom Kennedy: Limited offensive workload in win
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Kennedy did not garner a target while recording 120 yards on kickoff returns and 21 yards on punt returns in Thursday's 44-30 win over Dallas.
Kennedy was set to operate in a more significant role on offense due to Amon-Ra St. Brown trending toward sitting with an ankle injury, but St. Brown was ultimately able to play. As a result, Kennedy's offensive snaps dropped to five total in Week 14, a significantly smaller figure than the 41 snaps on offense he logged Thanksgiving against Green Bay. The wide receiver has filled in admirably for Kalif Raymond (ankle) as a return specialist for Detroit over the last two weeks, compiling 201 kickoff return yards and 42 yards on punt returns. Whenever Raymond is able to return, Kennedy, who was signed to the active roster prior to Week 13 action, may become a healthy scratch on game days.
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Tom Kennedy: Returns to practice squad
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Kennedy reverted to the Lions' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Kennedy was elevated from the Lions' practice squad for the first time this season to provide depth at wide receiver in case Isaac TeSlaa was unable to play Sunday against the Lions due to an oblique injury. TeSlaa was cleared to play after going through pregame warmups, which led to Kennedy being a healthy scratch for Sunday's loss. Kennedy is eligible to be elevated to Detroit's active roster twice more this season.
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Lions' Tom Kennedy: Gets opportunity for Week 11
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The Lions elevated Kennedy from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
Kennedy's elevation gives the Lions depth at wide receiver in case rookie third-rounder Isaac TeSlaa (oblique) is unable to play against the Eagles on Sunday. Kennedy appeared in four regular-season games in 2024, and he gives Detroit another option as a returner on kickoffs and punts.
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Tom Kennedy: Secures practice-squad role
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Kennedy signed with the Lions' practice squad Wednesday.
Kennedy played three preseason games and recorded four receptions for 27 yards. The 29-year-old wide receiver spent most of the 2024 season on the Lions' practice squad and was elevated four times, returning six kickoffs for 167 yards.
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Tom Kennedy: Let go by Lions
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The Lions waived Kennedy on Tuesday.
Kennedy spent most of the 2024 season on the Lions' practice squad, but he suited up in four games and recorded 167 kick-return yards and no catches. The 29-year-old will likely serve in a similar role in 2025.
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Tom Kennedy: Staying in Detroit
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The Lions signed Kennedy to the practice squad Saturday.
Kennedy was signed to the Lions' active roster Dec. 21, but he was waived Thursday. He's appeared in four regular-season games for the Lions but has not registered a catch. Kennedy will stick around on Detroit's practice squad and will be available for elevation to the 53-man roster during the postseason.
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Tom Kennedy: Cut by Detroit
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The Lions waived Kennedy on Thursday.
Kennedy signed to the 53-man roster on Dec. 21 and played a total of seven offensive snaps and nine more on special teams across Weeks 16 and 17. He returned three kickoffs for 86 yards and one punt for nine yards. Kennedy wasn't targeted in the passing game and is a candidate to land back on the practice squad should be clear waivers.
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Tom Kennedy: Reverts to practice squad
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Kennedy reverted to Detroit's practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Kennedy played five offensive snaps during Sunday's 20-16 loss versus the Buccaneers, and he failed to bring in his first target of the season. The Lions will be able to call him back up from the practice squad once more this year before they'd have to add him to the 53-man roster in order for him to be available.
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Tom Kennedy: Returns to practice squad
Rotowire
Kennedy reverted to the Lions' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Kennedy was elevated to the active roster prior to Sunday's 26-20 overtime win over the Rams, failing to produce any stats while playing four offensive snaps and six snaps on special teams. The wide receiver can be elevated two more times before the Lions would have to officially sign him to the 53-man roster.
