Tom

Kennedy

The 30-year-old culture tonesetter has mostly only turned to fantasy relevancy when injuries piled up. The Lions had to use Amon-Ra St. Brown on returns after his injury and will likely seek a new returner off the practice circuit this week.

The Lions’ backup linebacker is expected to miss some time. The Lions will also be without WR Tom Kennedy, who serves as the team’s top returner, for a while. Kennedy suffered a “sprain,” seemingly in his knee, during a return.

Kennedy, 26, had a big preseason for the Lions, posting 16 catches for 143 yards and a couple touchdowns. It still wasn’t enough for Kennedy to crack the Lions’ wideout room. Perhaps he’ll be brought back on the practice squad.

Kennedy had eight catches for 104 yards on 13 targets in Detroit’s first preseason game, and has been getting plenty of praise from coach Dan Campbell. “That’s Tom Kennedy,” Campbell said earlier in the preseason. “He’s just dependable, that’s all he is just dependable. He’s just very dependable, that’s all he is.” We think that’s praise, anyway. Campbell is no threat to the upper crust of fantasy or anything but the 2019 UDFA could draw some league-wide interest if he doesn’t make Detroit’s final roster.

Kennedy signed his tender with Detroit. You may remember Kennedy from the 75-yard touchdown pass he completed on his lone attempt of 2021. He also reeled in six catches for 54 yards in 12 games for Detroit. He profiles as a practice squad player for the Lions, barring a rash of wideout injuries.

The Lions are among the healthiest teams in the NFL after two weeks, though they’ll go without Flowers and Collins against Baltimore’s run-heavy offense. Collins will miss the game while the Lions try to trade him. There was no way Detroit’s defense could stop Lamar Jackson and company, even with a fully healthy defense.

The Lions are adding their practice squad to their offseason 90-man roster. A 23-year-old UDFA out of small-school “Bryant,” Kennedy spent one game on the 53-man roster in 2019.

He’ll take the roster spot vacated by Travis Fulgham, who the Lions cut earlier this week. Kennedy’s promotion suggests Detroit expects to be without Danny Amendola (chest) Sunday against Kansas City.