The Detroit Lions just dropped a bombshell during what was supposed to be a relaxing bye week. Wide receiver Tom Kennedy is out for the rest of the season after suffering an MCL injury that needs surgery, and he’s not alone heading to the injured reserve list. Offensive lineman Ben Bartch and linebacker Devin White are also on IR, making for a brutal mid-season roster shake-up for the Motor City crew.
Kennedy’s Season Over, Bartch and White Sidelined
This is a gut punch for Detroit fans. Losing Tom Kennedy for the entire year with that MCL injury requiring surgery is a tough pill to swallow, especially when the team is trying to figure things out during their bye week. He’s not the only one facing time away, though. OL Ben Bartch, who was already inactive in Week 5 with a foot injury, is now on IR, which means he’s out for at least four games. And don’t forget LB Devin White, who broke his forearm in Week 5 and is also hitting the IR, meaning he’s staring down a minimum of four games off the field. This isn’t just a couple of minor bumps and bruises, this is serious.
Roster Spots Open Up, But Who Steps Up?
So, with three key guys moving to injured reserve, the Lions suddenly have three open roster spots they need to fill. That’s a lot of holes to plug, and fast. The good news, if you can call it that, is they’ve already designated safety Brian Branch and center Cade Mays for return from injured reserve. Those two could potentially slide right back into two of those newly opened spots, which would be a huge relief. But even if they do, Detroit still has a big question mark over who fills the third spot and how they manage without Kennedy for the rest of the season, plus Bartch and White for at least the next four games. This team’s depth is about to be tested big time.
What’s next for the Lions is figuring out how to navigate these injuries. With three players on the shelf for at least four games, and one gone for good, they’ve got to make some moves. Keep an eye on what they do with those open roster spots and how the team adjusts once they hit the field again. This bye week definitely didn’t go as planned.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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