On Friday of the Detroit Lions’ bye week, the team announced that they have placed three players on injured reserve: wide receiver/returner Tom Kennedy, offensive lineman Ben Bartch, and linebacker Devin White. All three players must miss a minimum of the next four weeks but may be out longer due to their injuries.
Kennedy, the Lions’ starting punt and kick returner, injured his MCL in Week 5 and will require season-ending surgery. Detroit was originally hopeful Kennedy could return this season, but
further testing showed he would not be able to return before the end of the season. The Lions are not on the hunt for a new returner, although they do have some intriguing options on the practice squad, including recently signed DeAndre Carter. All four practice squad wide receivers are expected to be in the mix for the role and could claim one of the three spots freed up by these transactions.
Bartch started the Lions’ Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills, filling in for left guard Christian Mahogany, but he suffered a foot injury that would keep him out of the next three weeks of practices and games. With Bartch needing to miss at least four more games, the oft-injured lineman is in for another season where he is sidelined by injury. This move could open the door for starting center Cade Mays to return to the active roster, as he is currently practicing within his injury evaluation window, and could potentially be ready to play against the Green Bay Packers in Week 7.
White suffered a broken forearm in Week 5, and like Kennedy, will require surgery. However, White could recover in time to return to the field, as broken bones typically take eight to 12 weeks to heal. With six linebackers already on the active roster, the Lions will not need to add another player to his position group, and his spot will most likely go to safety Brian Branch, who is also within his injury evaluation window and could return to the active roster in Week 7.
Because the Lions are on their bye week, they’re in no rush to fill any of these open spots if they deem a player hasn’t done enough to win a role on the active roster—like at returner—or if a player is not healthy enough to return, such as Branch and Mays. It’s also worth keeping an eye on veteran safety Jalen Mills, who was released from the practice squad this past week after exhausting all three of his roster elevations. If the Lions feel they need more depth, they could look to bring him back as well.
