The Detroit Lions announced a pair of Thursday roster moves ahead of their 2026 season opener against the New Orleans Saints.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters earlier this week that wide receiver and return man Tom Kennedy would play in the opener
against the Saints. But, it was unclear whether Kennedy would be signed to the Lions' active roster or if he would be a game day elevation from the practice squad.Thursday's moves cleared that up. The Lions signed Kennedy to its active 53-man roster. Detroit then signed defensive back Natrone Brooks to its practice squad.
Lions announce roster moves: Signed WR Tom Kennedy to the Active Roster from the Practice Squad. Signed DB Natrone Brooks to the Practice Squad. pic.twitter.com/6gNKfaypWC
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 10, 2026
Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp confirmed on Thursday that Kennedy would handle both punt and kick return duties against the Saints in Week 1.
Kennedy, a 5-foot-10, 195-pounder, played in six games last season with the Lions, returning 16 kickoffs for 447 yards (27.9 yards per kickoff return). The 5-foot-10, 195-pound wide receiver also returned three punts for 50 yards (16.7 yards per punt return). Kennedy's longest kickoff return was 42 yards and his longest punt return was 21 yards last season.
In his career, Kennedy has returned 26 kickoffs for 703 yards (27.0 yards per kickoff return) and four punts for 59 yards (14.8 yards per punt return).
Kennedy also caught four passes for 36 yards. Across his 30 career games played, Kennedy has caught 18 passes for 231 yards.
Brooks began his NFL career on the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad in 2023. Across the 2024-25 seasons, Brooks appeared in 26 games as a reserve defender and special teams player. The 5-foot-11, 176-pound corner has totaled 15 tackles and three passes defended in his NFL career.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions make pair of Thursday roster moves before Saints opener
