The Detroit Lions cleared three roster spots by placing wide receiver Tom Kennedy, offensive lineman Ben Bartch, and linebacker Devin White on injured reserve. Kennedy, the team’s primary punt and kick returner, will miss the rest of the season after further testing revealed his Week 5 MCL injury requires surgery. The move opens a spot for practice squad returner DeAndre Carter, who is now expected to handle those duties while the team evaluates other options.
Offensive Line Adjustments
Bartch, who started at left guard in Week 2 before suffering a foot injury, joins the list after being inactive for Week 5. His placement paves the way for center Cade Mays to potentially return to the active roster from his own injury evaluation window. Devin White, who suffered a broken forearm in Week 5, also requires surgery and must miss at least four games. While White’s recovery timeline suggests he could return later in the season, his immediate absence creates a vacancy that safety Brian Branch could fill upon his own return. The team is not rushing to fill these spots immediately given the bye week, allowing them to assess the health of Branch and Mays before making further moves.
Hip-Drop Fine Issued
Defensive end D.J. Wonnum faces a $12,611 fine for unnecessary roughness after the NFL reviewed a hip-drop tackle he delivered against Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Week 5 victory and was not flagged by officials on the field. This marks the second hip-drop fine for a Detroit defender this season, following a similar penalty against linebacker Jack Campbell in Week 4.
Suspension Risk Looms
Wonnum leads the team with five sacks through five games, including two against the Cardinals, making this disciplinary action a significant footnote to his productive start. Under the league’s updated 2026 rules, hip-drop tackles are one of five major fouls where a third violation results in an automatic one-game suspension. Wonnum now sits at two infractions in this category, placing him on the brink of missing time if he commits another.
Offensive Line Dominance
The Lions’ offensive line continues to receive top marks from Pro Football Focus, with Penei Sewell earning a 90.9 overall grade after his transition to left tackle. Sewell has successfully anchored the blind side, utilizing his elite footwork and power to neutralize opposing edge rushers. Christian Mahogany and Juice Scruggs have also posted elite grades at guard and center respectively, contributing to the unit’s ranking as the best in the NFL. This collective dominance has provided quarterback Jared Goff with consistent protection and fueled a rushing attack that has struggled at times in previous years.
Aidan Hutchinson has acknowledged that DJ Wonnum’s emergence has been a positive development for the entire defensive front. Hutchinson noted that Wonnum’s ability to win one-on-one matchups forces offenses to reconsider their protection schemes, potentially reducing the double teams sent his way. Wonnum’s success allows Hutchinson to benefit from more favorable matchups as the two edge rushers form a potent tandem. While Hutchinson has yet to match Wonnum’s sack total, the synergy between the two has helped Detroit reach 20 sacks, the most in franchise history for a five-game span.
This article was created by aggregating Detroit Lions news using Artificial Intelligence.
