The Detroit Lions aren’t hiding their intentions when it comes to their new punter returner.
After Tom Kennedy suffered a season-ending injury in their last game against the Arizona Cardinals, the Lions will replace him on both punt and kick return with newly signed receiver DeAndre Carter. Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said they aren’t viewing the job as completely open at this point in the week.
“I don’t know that it’s like totally open. I think DeAndre Carter’s got a lot of experience. He’ll
probably step in and return punts for us and kickoffs for us in the game, along with (Jacob) Saylors. And we’ll just keep going as it’s been,” Fipp said.
Carter is currently on the practice squad, so in order to play, he will either sign to the 53-man roster this week or receive a gameday elevation from the practice squad.
Fipp noted that there were players like Lucky Jackson who have punt return experience, but it pales in comparison to Carter’s resumé. Carter, who entered the league in 2015, has returned 155 career punts for 1,508 yards (9.7 average) and 144 kickoffs for 3,399 yards (23.6 average).
Carter has had a tumultuous NFL career. Despite entering the league in 2015, he didn’t see the field until 2018. He was rostered by the Ravens, Raiders, Patriots, and 49ers before he played in his first NFL game—ironically with the Philadelphia Eagles and their special teams coach at the time, Dave Fipp.
In his first game as punt returner, Carter took a late punt, returned it 42 yards, setting up the Eagles for what would be the game-tying score.
Fipp said he’s always had respect for Carter’s resilience and the way he plays the game.
“He bounced around, kept on fighting trying to make it,” Fipp said. “I think we’re in Week 4 or something like that I believe. It was when Darren Sproles went down. And then he came in, we’re playing against Tennessee and he did what he does. He catches the ball, he competes, he gets downfield, he’s quick, very competitive. His story is like the ultimate story of just overcoming all the obstacles, and he plays the game that way. He loves playing football. I’ve always respected his game.”
