Tom Kennedy - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Lions beat playoff-bound Bears 19-16 on Bates' 42-yard field goal as time expires

Jake Bates kicked a 42-yard field goal as time expired, Jared Goff led five scoring drives and the Detroit Lions regrouped to beat the NFC North champion Chicago Bears 19-16 after...

JANUARY 5 • Associated Press

Nursing rib injury Kennedy (ribs) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against Chicago.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for Thursday's game Kennedy (abdomen) is active for Thursday's game against the Vikings.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Christmas Day Kennedy (abdomen) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against Minnesota.

Impact Kennedy was limited in all three walkthrough practices due to an abdominal injury, and his status may not be officially known until approximately 90 minutes before Thursday's 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff, when the Lions announce their list of inactive players. Jacob Saylors and Kalif Raymond would be slated to take on larger roles as returners on kickoffs and punts if Kennedy is not cleared to play.

DECEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Estimated as limited Tuesday Kennedy (abdomen) was listed as a limited practice participant on Tuesday's estimated injury report.

Impact Kennedy has been limited in each of the Lions' two walkthrough practices while working through an abdominal injury. He has one more opportunity to increase his practice participation and avoid an injury designation ahead of Thursday's game against the Vikings.

DECEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Nursing abdominal injury Kennedy (abdomen) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's estimated practice report.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Fipp on WR Tom Kennedy Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp speaks to reporters about WR Tom Kennedy, and fixing the protection game.

DECEMBER 11, 2025 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Limited offensive workload in win 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.

Impact Kennedy was set to operate in a more significant role on offense with Amon-Ra St. Brown trending towards 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. Kennedy has now exhausted all three of his elevations from the practice squad, and he'll now have to be officially signed to the active roster to appear in another contest with the Lions this season.

DECEMBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Tom Kennedy shined in limited opportunities for Lions vs. Cowboys The legend of Tom Kennedy continues to grow for the Lions in the return game.

DECEMBER 6, 2025 • SIDELIONREPORT.COM

Detroit Lions players meet with the media | 2025 NFL Regular Season Week 14: Lions vs Cowboys

DECEMBER 5, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Kennedy on big returns vs Cowboys WR Tom Kennedy speaks to reporters about his big day on special teams after the Lions' 44-30 win over the Cowboys in Week 14 of the NFL seas...

DECEMBER 5, 2025 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Kennedy on stepping up WR Tom Kennedy speaks to reporters about stepping up after injuries to the WR room during the Lions' Week 13 game vs the Green Bay Packers.

NOVEMBER 27, 2025 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Four grabs in loss to Green Bay Kennedy caught all four of his targets for 36 yards in Thursday's 31-24 loss to the Packers. He added 102 total return yards on three kickoff and one punt return.

Impact Brought up from the practice squad for the second time this season with Kalif Raymond (ankle) sidelined but actually active this time around, Kennedy got thrust into a bigger offensive role than expected after Amon-Ra St. Brown left the game in the first quarter and didn't return due to an ankle injury of his own. The four grabs were a career high for Kennedy, who came into the contest with a 14-195-0 line on 26 targets over 24 NFL games, all with Detroit. St. Brown could end up missing another week or two, per Colton Pouncy of The Athletic, which could land Kennedy in a regular spot in three-wide sets alongside Jameson Williams and Isaac TeSlaa in a Week 14 clash with the Cowboys.

NOVEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

HIGHLIGHT: Goff finds Kennedy for 23 yards on third down Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff delivers a 23-yard pass to wide receiver Tom Kennedy in the red zone against the Green Bay Packers.

NOVEMBER 27, 2025 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Signed to active roster The Lions signed Kennedy to the active roster from the practice squad Wednesday.

Impact Kennedy has spent the entire season on the Lions' practice squad and was elevated for the team's Week 11 win. He was ultimately inactive, though he'll have another chance to make his 2025 debut on Thursday against the Packers.

NOVEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice squad Kennedy reverted to the Lions' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Gets opportunity for Week 11 The Lions elevated Kennedy from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Secures practice-squad role Kennedy signed with the Lions' practice squad Wednesday.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Let go by Lions The Lions waived Kennedy on Tuesday.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Let go by Lions The Lions waived Kennedy on Tuesday.

Impact Kennedy spent most of the 2024 season on the Lions' practice squad, but he suited up in four games and recording 167 kick-return yards and no catches. The 29-year-old will likely serve in a similar role in 2025.

AUGUST 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Inks new deal with Detroit The Lions signed Kennedy to a reserve/future contract Monday.

Impact The Bryant product will remain in Detroit after spending his 2024 campaign between the Lions' practice squad and active roster. Kennedy appeared in four regular-season games for the Lions this season, failing to haul in his only target while also tallying 167 kick return yards and nine punt return yards. He's likely to compete for a reserve role in the Lions' wide receiver corps throughout the offseason.

JANUARY 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Staying in Detroit The Lions signed Kennedy to the practice squad Saturday.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cut by Detroit The Lions waived Kennedy on Thursday.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Lions activate safety Ifeatu Melifonwu off injured reserve

The Detroit Lions have activated safety Ifeatu Melifonwu from injured reserve, putting him a step closer to making his season debut

DECEMBER 21, 2024 • Associated Press

Signs with 53-man roster Saturday Kennedy signed with Detroit's active roster from the practice squad Saturday.

Impact Kennedy's part of a roster shuffle that saw three players waived Saturday, including fellow wide receiver Maurice Alexander. For the duration of Kennedy's stint on the active roster, he'll likely be asked to fill a depth role at wide receiver and could contribute on special teams.

DECEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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Lions beat playoff-bound Bears 19-16 on Bates' 42-yard field goal as time expires

Lions activate safety Ifeatu Melifonwu off injured reserve