Tom Kennedy - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

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

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

TOM KENNEDY NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES

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