Fan favorite Tom Kennedy will be suiting up for the Detroit Lions against the New Orleans Saints in the season opener.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell revealed that news on Tuesday.
"It's those key role players, man... Yeah, Tom Kennedy's playing in this game. Oh (expletive). I let it out," Campbell said with a smile.
Kennedy 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.
Role players and glue guys >>> pic.twitter.com/jlf6YVrNus
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 8, 2026
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.
The Lions are currently carrying four wide receivers on their active roster (Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa and Tay Martin).
Wide receivers Lucky Jackson and Dominic Lovett are also on the Lions' practice squad. Detroit has one open roster spot on its 53-man roster. It's unclear whether Kennedy will be a game-day elevation from the practice squad or if he will be signed to the Lions' 53-man roster.
Practice squad players can be elevated to the roster a maximum of three times. Before being made available for a fourth game, they must be added to the active roster.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions reveal popular WR, return man to play vs. Saints in opener
