The Detroit Lions finally locked in the last spot on their 53-man roster, bringing wide receiver Tom Kennedy up from the practice squad to the active roster. Man, this move was expected, right? Coach Dan Campbell even leaked earlier in the week that Kennedy would be playing in Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. Still, that delay felt a bit weird, didn’t it?
Kennedy’s Grit Earns His Spot on Sunday’s Roster
Seriously, this guy bleeds Honolulu blue. Tom Kennedy has been on and off the Lions’ roster for seven years, proving his worth time and again. Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp confirmed he’s going to be the team’s starting punt returner, and he’s absolutely in the mix for kick returns too. That’s huge for field position, especially early in the season! The Lions brass just raves about his work ethic and how he provides solid depth across all wide receiver spots. He’s probably shaping up to be the WR4, right behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSLaa. Tay Martin, the former UFL receiver, is in that competition too, but Kennedy’s experience is massive. You love to see a grinder like this get his shot.
Brooks Joins the Den as Injury Insurance
To fill Kennedy’s newly vacated practice squad spot, the Lions signed defensive back Natrone Brooks. This dude is 26 and spent the last four offseasons with the Atlanta Falcons. Over the last two seasons, he had 26 game appearances and one start with them. He even made Atlanta’s 53-man roster this year, but got cut after they claimed three other players, then cleared waivers last week. Brooks has been a cornerback for the last three years but transitioned to safety this offseason. It’s not clear what position the Lions are eyeing him for, but let’s be real, they could totally use some extra depth and insurance at safety with Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph currently sidelined. He’s an intriguing pick-up, offering some versatility in the secondary.
So, get ready, Detroit. Tom Kennedy is officially playing on Sunday against the Saints, and all eyes will be on him to see if he can make an immediate impact in special teams. Natrone Brooks is the new guy in the mix, and we’ll be watching to see how he fits in the secondary picture. It’s early in the season, and every roster move matters for building that foundation.
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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