The Detroit Lions placed three players on injured reserve Friday, officially ending the season for return specialist Tom Kennedy while creating immediate roster space for two key defenders. The Lions announced the move on Friday. The moves clear three spots on the 53-man roster, paving the way for safety Brian Branch and center Cade Mays to rejoin the active lineup before the Week 7 matchup against Green Bay.
Kennedy’s Season Ends Early
Kennedy, who handled all punt return duties prior to his injury, will miss the remainder of the year after suffering an MCL tear that requires surgery. Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed the severity of the knee injury on Monday, stating the damage was significant enough to end Kennedy’s season. Kennedy had returned six punts for 79 yards and averaged 13.2 yards per return, ranking sixth in the NFL.
Linebacker Devin White and offensive lineman Ben Bartch also joined Kennedy on injured reserve, though both remain eligible to return later in the season. White suffered a broken forearm against Arizona that requires surgery, while Bartch has been sidelined by a foot injury since Week 2. Detroit expects White to return at some point this season, despite the initial setback.
Carter Signed for Returns
With three roster spots now open, the front office can address the void left in the return game while bringing back Branch and Mays. The Lions reportedly signed veteran returner DeAndre Carter to the practice squad to compete for the starting job. Carter brings extensive experience with 299 career returns, offering a seasoned option as the team evaluates internal candidates like Dominic Lovett and Lucky Jackson.
Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill have anchored a defensive line that has outperformed expectations despite the unit’s overall struggles early in the season. Hutchinson generated 32 pressures, the second-most in the league, while earning a 91.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. Hutchinson recorded the second-best grade among 106 qualified edge defenders.
McNeill Rebounds as Dominant Force
Interior lineman Alim McNeill has rebounded from a poor 2025 campaign to become a dominant force, recording 23 pressures that rank first among all interior defensive linemen. McNeill’s 79.4 overall grade ranks ninth at the position. Rookie Skyler Gill-Howard has also contributed 13 pressures, the most by any rookie interior lineman in the NFL.
The collective effort from the front four has resulted in the league’s highest sack total through five weeks. The Lions have secured 20 sacks, the most in the NFL, with veteran D.J. Wonnum adding five sacks to the tally.
Hackett Praises Defensive Scheme
Cardinals offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett labeled the Lions’ defensive game plan as “unique” and “fascinating” following Detroit’s 45-21 victory. Hackett highlighted the bracket coverage used against wide receiver Michael Wilson and tight end Trey McBride, noting it forced quarterback Jacoby Brissett to look elsewhere.
The scheme effectively neutralized the Cardinals’ two primary weapons, who accounted for nearly 70% of the team’s targets entering the game. Detroit held Arizona to 8-for-18 on third down, including five consecutive three-and-outs after the first drive. Adams.
NFC North Race Tight
With the Lions sitting at 3-2, the race for the NFC North title remains wide open as Minnesota sits alone at 5-0. Detroit and Green Bay are tied at 3-2, while Chicago also holds a 3-2 record. Detroit sits third in the NFC North standings with six divisional games remaining in the final 12 weeks.
The upcoming schedule features critical division matchups, including a home game against Green Bay on October 25 and a visit to Minnesota on November 1. ET, a game that could significantly impact the divisional tiebreaker scenarios.
This article was created by aggregating Detroit Lions news using Artificial Intelligence.
