The Detroit Lions are reportedly signing veteran returner and wide receiver DeAndre Carter to their practice squad, a move made necessary after their primary punt and kick returner, Tom Kennedy, was lost for the season due to an MCL injury that requires surgery. This isn’t just a casual addition, folks. The Lions are in dire straits for a starting returner, and Carter brings some serious veteran juice to the table.
Why Carter Is Exactly What Detroit Needs
Losing Tom Kennedy for the season is a gut punch for the Lions, especially with that knee injury requiring surgery. They desperately need a starting returner to step up. Our own John Whiticar already pointed out the internal options, right? They’ve got several solid contenders, with eight players on the active roster and four on the practice squad expected to compete for the role. But let’s be real, none of them bring the level of veteran experience that Carter possesses.
This isn’t some fresh-faced rookie signing. Carter went undrafted out of Sacramento State in 2015, bouncing around four different practice squads over his first three seasons. He finally got his first real shot with the Eagles and Texans in 2018. He stuck in Houston for two seasons before becoming a reliable one-year stop for a variety of teams, including the Bears (twice!), the Commanders, Chargers, Raiders, and most recently in 2025 with the Browns. The dude has seen it all, and that kind of road-tested resilience is invaluable.
The Stats Don’t Lie: A Playmaker With Wheels
When you talk DeAndre Carter, you’re talking toughness, quickness, and a knack for separating from defenders to create yards after the catch. That’s his calling card. We’re not guessing here, we’ve got the receipts: over his eight-year career, Carter has played in a whopping 111 games, primarily as a punt and kick returner. And get this: he’s also logged 21 starts at wide receiver. That kind of versatility is huge, especially for a practice squad addition.
Let’s dive into the numbers that really pop. He’s returned 155 punts for a cool 1508 yards, averaging a solid 9.7 yards per punt return. On kickoffs, he’s got 144 returns for a massive 3399 yards, averaging 23.6 yards per return. And the kicker? He’s got a 101-yard touchdown to his name. That’s the kind of game-changing explosiveness the Lions just lost and desperately need to replace. Don’t sleep on his receiving skills, either. He boasts 117 career receptions for 1331 yards and six touchdowns, plus 16 rushes for 99 yards. He’s a certified utility knife.
The Lions haven’t officially announced this transaction yet, but NFL Insider Tom Pelissero made it clear. They did have an open spot on their practice squad after releasing safety Jalen Mills earlier in the week, so the move makes perfect sense. For a team that just lost its primary returner for the entire season, Carter’s veteran experience isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a necessity. This is a veteran playmaker with a 101-yard touchdown on his resume, stepping into a crucial role. Lions fans should be absolutely hyped for this injection of pure, proven playmaking ability.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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