TOM KENNEDY #85 - WIDE RECEIVER - DETROIT LIONS
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#85 - WIDE RECEIVER - DETROIT LIONS
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NFL > DETROIT LIONS >

TOM KENNEDY NEWS

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GAME LOG

INJURIES
Placed on IR The Lions placed Kennedy (knee) on injured reserve Friday.
Impact Kennedy suffered a season-ending MCL injury in his right knee during the Lions' Week 5 win over the Cardinals. His move to IR opens a spot on Detroit's 53-man roster, and in his absence, Jacob Saylors is in line to take over on return duties on kickoffs and punts.
OCTOBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Lions needed clutch 4th-down conversions to spark their blowout of the Cardinals

The Lions were struggling early in what became a 45-21 blowout of the Arizona Cardinals
OCTOBER 13 • Associated Press
Season-ending surgery confirmed 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.
Impact 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.
OCTOBER 12 • ROTOWIRE
Done for 2026 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.
Impact 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.
OCTOBER 12 • ROTOWIRE
Leaves game on crutches Kennedy (knee) left Sunday's 45-21 win over the Cardinals on crutches, Richard Silva of The Detroit News reports.
Impact 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.
OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE
Downgrades to out Sunday Kennedy (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Impact 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.
OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE
Amon-Ra St. Brown takes on new role after Lions injury news The Detroit Lions entered their Week 5 contest against the Arizona Cardinals at a 2-2 record. The story of the season so far has been their...
OCTOBER 11 • THEBIGLEAD.COM
Exits early with knee issue Kennedy (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's contest against the Cardinals.
Impact 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.
OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE
Signs to active roster The Lions signed Kennedy from their practice squad to their active roster Thursday.
Impact Kennedy initially missed the cut for Detroit's 53-man roster for 2026, but he's now back in the fold with Week 1 underway. He could be tasked with punt-return duties Sunday versus the Saints.
SEPTEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE
NOTEBOOK: Safety duo Clark & Maddox bringing experience to Lions' secondary Tim Twentyman covers all the Detroit Lions news of the day including the safety duo of Chuck Clark and Avonte Maddox, wide receiver Tom Kenn...
SEPTEMBER 10 • DETROITLIONS.COM
Tom Kennedy is set to get promoted for Lions' Week 1 game against Saints Dan Campbell let slip that Kennedy would be on the active roster for their first game of the season.
SEPTEMBER 8 • SIDELIONREPORT.COM
Staying in Detroit on practice squad Kennedy signed with the Lions' practice squad Monday.
Impact 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.
SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE
LIONS DAILY: Detroit signs Luke Altmyer, Tom Kennedy, 12 others to practice squad Lions sign Luke Altmyer, Tom Kennedy, 12 others to practice squad
SEPTEMBER 1 • DETROITLIONS.COM
Lions' big punt returner decision could be decided against Commanders The Detroit Lions have a battle for the punt return position, and it comes down to Greg Dortch and Tom Kennedy.
AUGUST 21 • SIDELIONREPORT.COM
Lions special teams unit may be taking shape without Tom Kennedy in the mix The writing may be on the wall for a fan favorite depth receiver.
AUGUST 17 • SIDELIONREPORT.COM
Tom Kennedy: Grit Personified Watch this Detroit Lions feature as wide receiver Tom Kennedy looks back on being a dual-sport collegiate athlete to currently being the lon...
JULY 30 • DETROITLIONS.COM
Tom Kennedy should be out to prove that his late-season heroics were no fluke Kennedy broke out at the end of 2025 as a reliable special teams returner.
JUNE 22 • SIDELIONREPORT.COM
One Lions player has a perfect chance to go under the radar no more Tom Kennedy can stick with this Lions roster in a permanent role if everything falls into place.
MAY 26 • SIDELIONREPORT.COM
Kendrick Law's Arrival Gives Lions Vet Reason to Worry from Day 1 Quietly, one of the Detroit Lions who benefited most from the team's offseason decisions leading into the draft was Tom Kennedy. The veteran...
APRIL 29 • DETROITJOCKCITY.COM
Tom Kennedy Now Forced to Prepare for Heated Lions Camp Battle Somehow, someway, wide receiver Tom Kennedy continues to find himself on the Detroit Lions. Since joining the Lions as an undrafted free age...
APRIL 20 • DETROITJOCKCITY.COM
Returning to Detroit Kennedy (ribs) is slated to re-sign with the Lions, Jeremy Reisman of Pride Of Detroit reports.
Impact Kennedy exited the Lions' 2025 regular-season finale due to a ribs injury, but his new deal with the team suggests he's moved past the issue. The 29-year-old from Bryant played a minor role in Detroit's offense last season, catching all four of his targets for 36 yards while accumulating 447 kick-return yards across just six appearances. Expect Kennedy to remain a depth option in the Lions' receiving corps for the 2026 season.
MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE
Tom Kennedy Suddenly in a Promising Spot with Lions After Tuesday The Detroit Lions may have an opportunity for WR/returner Tom Kennedy to step up after Kalif Raymond signed with the Chicago Bears.
MARCH 11 • DETROITJOCKCITY.COM
Makes impact late in 2025 Kennedy recorded four receptions for 36 yards across six games with the Lions in 2025. He also recorded 447 yards on 16 kick returns and 50 yards on three punt returns.
Impact 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 in 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.
FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

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
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