The Detroit Lions have lost return man and wide receiver Tom Kennedy for the remainder of the 2026 season.
Per NFL Network and ESPN's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport, Kennedy suffered a significant MCL injury that is expected to require surgery and that will cost him the rest of the 2026 season.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell was optimistic on Sunday that Kennedy's absence wouldn't be long-term, but, after further testing, the injury was more severe than initially thought.
#Lions returner Tom Kennedy suffered a significant MCL injury that is expected to require surgery and will end his season, sources tell me and @RapSheet. HC Dan Campbell was hopeful Kennedy’s absence would be shorter but further testing revealed the extent of the damage. pic.twitter.com/qhZfMKlGpI
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 12, 2026
"TK, it doesn't look good as far as anything short-term. We'll know a lot more tomorrow. I think it could be a sprain somewhere in there, you know, a pretty good sprain. But, neither one of them are going to be around for a little bit here, so I hate that, man. Both players have done a really good job for us," Campbell said of Kennedy and Devin White's injuries on Sunday.
"TK I really thought hit it, man. We kind of challenged him on hitting some of these returns, and his first one was outstanding. The second one, he caught it, and he put his foot in the ground. I mean, he took it to heart. I hate it for him that that happened. But, I don't think it's long-, long-term. I think this is something that we're going to miss him for a little bit. We'll see."
Kennedy entered Sunday with four punt returns for 46 yards and nine kickoff returns for 223 yards. Kennedy had a pair of punt returns for 33 yards on Sunday, including a long of 21 yards.
In his career, Kennedy has 18 receptions for 231 yards, 10 punt returns for 138 yards, and 36 kickoff returns for 952 yards.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions injury update: Return man has suffered season-ender
