Man, what a blow for the Detroit Lions: returner Tom Kennedy is officially out for the entire 2026 season after suffering a knee injury against the Arizona Cardinals. This is a brutal hit, not just for Kennedy, who was finally getting his shot after grinding on the practice squad since 2019, but for the team, too. Kennedy was handling kickoffs and punts, and he’d racked up 15 returns already this year before landing on Injured Reserve. Now, the Lions have a serious hole to fill on special teams, and it looks like it’s going to be a tough call.
Who Steps Up? Inside the Lions’ Active Roster Debate
So, where do the Lions even begin to find a replacement for Kennedy’s production? They gotta figure out if they’re pulling someone from the active 53-man roster, elevating a practice squader, or looking outside the building. Diving into the active roster, it gets complicated fast. Tay Martin has barely any punt return experience (just two in college, zero anywhere else), and no kickoff returns. Isaac TeSlaa? Zip, zero, nada in return experience. Khalil Dorsey has 16 career kickoff returns, but nothing since 2024. Sione Vaki’s got super limited kickoff experience, and zero punt returns. These guys don’t exactly scream “solution.”
Then there’s the main event, the guys who *could* be electric: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Jahmyr Gibbs. St. Brown actually has punt return experience from college (19 returns for 107 yards) and even stepped in for two punt returns against the Cardinals after Kennedy went down, including a sweet 31-yarder. Williams was a kickoff returner at Alabama in 2021 with 10 returns for 352 yards and two touchdowns. And Gibbs? He was a frequent kickoff returner in college with 44 returns for over a thousand yards and a score. You see the potential, right? But coach Dan Campbell himself said he doesn’t want St. Brown back there for most of the game, and you gotta feel the same about Gibbs and Williams. Sure, they could make a highlight reel play, but risking your offensive superstars on what’s often a violent, high-impact play just feels like a bad idea. Saylors is one of their current kickoff guys, but no punt experience there. It’s a real head-scratcher.
The Practice Squad and What Comes Next
With the active roster guys being either too valuable or too inexperienced, the Lions might have to look at their practice squad. Lucky Jackson is the standout here. He’s only got one punt return in college, but he showed some real flashes in the UFL earlier this year with 13 punt returns for 153 yards. That’s some tangible experience the other guys are lacking. Could he be the guy? He’s certainly less of a risk than putting St. Brown back there full-time.
The Lions have a huge decision on their hands. Finding someone who can consistently handle both punt and kickoff duties without being a liability or risking a star player is tough. This isn’t just about replacing a guy; it’s about maintaining field position and giving the offense good starting spots. Every special teams play matters. Who are they going to trust with this crucial role? We’re all gonna be watching closely to see who steps up.
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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