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Pride Of Detroit fantasy football takes on Tom Kennedy
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Pride Of Detroit about Tom Kennedy.
42
Insights
12
Positive
9
Negative
Insight ledger
All Pride Of Detroit insights about Tom Kennedy
NegativeRoleSep 14, 2026
Special teams contributor who shook off an opening kickoff muff and had at least one decent punt return in Week 1. Kennedy's performance was part of the special teams unit that earned a D+ grade overall.NegativeRoleSep 13, 2026
Tom Kennedy was signed this week and is listed on the Lions' Week 1 depth chart as a wide receiver; he is also designated as the punt returner and kick returner.NegativeDepth ChartSep 10, 2026
Kennedy is likely the WR4 on the Lions behind starters Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa; Detroit raves about his work ethic and ability to provide depth across all wide receiver positions. He has been on and off the Lions' roster for the past seven years.PositiveRoleSep 10, 2026
Kennedy was signed from the practice squad to the 53-man roster and confirmed as the Lions' starting punt returner by special teams coordinator Dave Fipp; also in the mix at kick returner. Coach Dan Campbell leaked that Kennedy would play in Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints.PositiveRoleSep 10, 2026
Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp confirmed Tom Kennedy as the starting punt returner and one of the primary kick returners alongside running back Jacob Saylors; Fipp stated 'We feel good about both those guys being back there' and noted 'They both have experience doing it,' with Kennedy returning 16 kicks for 447 yards last season.NegativeRoleSep 7, 2026
Wide receiver Tom Kennedy is the leading candidate to assume the Lions' remaining 53-man roster spot and is likely to be part of Sunday's roster; he is the leading candidate to be the team's starting punt returner and fourth or fifth wide receiver, though the Lions may wait until Week 2 to add him to avoid his contract becoming fully guaranteed.PositiveRoleSep 2, 2026
The most obvious candidate to fill one of the Lions' two open roster spots. Kennedy is the presumed punt returner after the surprise release of Greg Dortch, positioning him as a likely promotion from the practice squad.PositiveBreakoutSep 2, 2026
Tom Kennedy is highlighted by the source as a player with potential big contributor impact during the 2026 Lions season, suggesting breakout or increased role potential.PositiveRoleSep 2, 2026
Wide receiver Tom Kennedy currently resides on the practice squad but is positioned for a potential 53-man roster elevation. Holmes indicated Kennedy is 'the most likely candidate to be the team's punt returner' and praised his versatility: 'He's still part of our 69(-man roster) currently right now. He was able to add some special teams to his repertoire. He kind of did a little bit of that last year. But we all know the versatility that he has.' The source notes the Lions kept only four receivers on the 53-man roster, suggesting potential movement at the position.NegativeRoleSep 2, 2026
Tom Kennedy is the Lions' primary punt returner.NegativeDepth ChartSep 2, 2026
Listed as a punt returner on the Lions' special teams.NegativeDepth ChartAug 31, 2026
Signed to Detroit Lions 2026 practice squad as wide receiver; part of Lions' extended roster strategy where practice squad players are valued as extension of 53-man roster with opportunity to earn gameday elevation.NegativeDepth ChartAug 31, 2026
Kennedy was released in final cuts despite being expected to win the punt returner spot after Greg Dortch was cut; special teams coordinator Dave Fipp had noted the competition was between Dortch and Kennedy.PositiveDepth ChartAug 30, 2026
Tom Kennedy's roster chances improve significantly with Greg Dortch's release. Kennedy was the first-string punt returner ahead of Dortch during training camp and preseason, and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp identified Kennedy and Dortch as the primary punt returner competition. The 30-year-old receiver is one of the most trusted players on the roster, capable of playing any receiver position in Detroit, making his path to the 53-man roster more likely following Dortch's departure.NegativeRoleAug 29, 2026
Kennedy has a case for WR5, but his only contributions on special teams are as a returner, whereas Greg Dortch and Jacob Saylors can handle those situations just as well. This limitation cost him the WR5 spot in favor of Tay Martin.NegativeDepth ChartAug 29, 2026
The source projects Kennedy to miss the 53-man roster, losing the WR5 battle to Tay Martin, though Kennedy is expected to be a practice squad candidate.PositiveRoleAug 29, 2026
Kennedy is competing for a fifth or sixth receiver spot on the Lions' roster. The veteran can play multiple offensive roles and has recently expanded his value by becoming a top returner on the team, making him a viable candidate despite Tay Martin being the likely frontrunner.NegativeRoleAug 29, 2026
Projected as top reserve wide receiver competing for WR5/WR6 roster spots; special teams performance in preseason Game 3 will be key factor in determining whether he makes the 53-man roster, as the source notes these depth roles require special teams skill set.NegativeUsageAug 27, 2026
Kennedy was targeted on a quick slant in the second-team scrimmage (Drive #2), where Nick Whiteside broke up the third-down pass.NegativeValueAug 27, 2026
Tom Kennedy has $0 salary guarantees, making him a candidate for the Lions' vested veteran rule strategy. Veterans with no guaranteed salary could be released during roster cuts and re-signed after Week 1 to avoid triggering the automatic salary guarantee that applies if a veteran with four or more accrued seasons is on the roster in Week 1.NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026
Played 7 snaps (10%) and 6 special teams snaps (27%) in the preseason game. The source does not provide specific commentary on his performance or roster outlook.NegativeRoleAug 22, 2026
Wide receiver Tom Kennedy recorded one catch for 10 yards in the preseason game, competing for the WR5 and WR6 spot if Wilson misses time.PositiveUsageAug 22, 2026
Kennedy made a couple of Commanders miss on a punt return for a 12-yard gain in the second quarter.NegativeRoleAug 22, 2026
Kennedy is competing for the WR5/WR6 roster spot alongside Tay Martin, Dominic Lovett, and Cedrick Wilson, with no clear leader established yet. Saturday's preseason game offers an opportunity to make a statement and secure a roster spot.PositiveRoleAug 22, 2026
Stepped in with the starters for a few days when Jameson Williams was out with a shoulder injury; among the contenders for the WR5/6 role where the Lions have an open competition.PositiveRoleAug 21, 2026
Punt return candidate in two-man race; Fipp directly identified Kennedy as one of the two main candidates for the punt returner role alongside Greg Dortch, with Dominic Lovett fitting in but not getting top-team reps.NegativeRoleAug 20, 2026
Tom Kennedy dressed for Detroit's first preseason game but did not log a snap on special teams despite having special teams experience; this raises questions about whether his lack of involvement signals Detroit's comfort level with his special teams capabilities or whether the team is exploring other options for those roles.PositiveRoleAug 18, 2026
Tom Kennedy scored a touchdown on the seventh drive when Jared Goff hit him on a quick slant (a bit of a pick play with Amon-Ra St. Brown), putting the starting offense up 7-0.PositiveUsageAug 17, 2026
Kennedy received extra first-team offensive reps during Sunday's practice due to Jameson Williams' shoulder injury absence. The Lions used Williams' absence to give Kennedy additional opportunities with the first-team offense.NegativeRoleAug 16, 2026
Kennedy rotated in at Jameson Williams' spot with the first team on Sunday when Williams was absent from practice.NegativeRoleAug 15, 2026
Watched fellow WR5 competitors Dominic Lovett, Tay Martin, and Tarik Black make plays with the ball while Kennedy has yet to truly stand out during 11-on-11 work this summer.NegativeRoleAug 14, 2026
Veteran had one reception in the preseason game but appears to be falling behind in the competition for a roster spot, suggesting diminished chances of making the 53-man roster.NegativeRoleAug 14, 2026
Kennedy played 25 snaps (38%) in the preseason opener but had a quiet day. Notably, he received no special teams reps, which the source suggests could be notable for his roster standing in the WR5 competition.NegativeDepth ChartAug 13, 2026
Listed on the wide receiver depth chart for the Lions; part of what Campbell called 'the best receiver room we've had since I've been here in camp, top to bottom,' with every player having 'flashed on one day or another.'NegativeDepth ChartAug 10, 2026
Tom Kennedy received 0 votes in the WR 5/6 battle and has no support from the source's staff for a roster spot, putting his position on the Lions' roster in serious jeopardy.NegativeUsageAug 6, 2026
Kennedy had two notable plays during the situational drill: a medium gain following Thomas Gordon's catch that helped put the offense in field goal range, and a pass breakup against him by Khalil Dorsey during one-on-ones.NegativeDepth ChartAug 3, 2026
Kennedy drops to 0 votes (down 1) in the receiver bubble watch, indicating declining roster security as competition intensifies in the wide receiver room.NegativeUsageAug 2, 2026
Returned a kickoff to the 29-yard line and was tackled by Ahmed Hassanein during the end-of-game drill; also returned at least one kickoff during special teams drills.NegativeRoleJul 31, 2026
Kennedy was the intended receiver on a pass over the middle that was overthrown by Teddy Bridgewater and intercepted by Nick Whiteside.NegativeRoleJul 31, 2026
Kennedy was the intended target on a pass over the middle that was overthrown by Teddy Bridgewater and intercepted by Nick Whiteside.NegativeDepth ChartJul 27, 2026
Kennedy is competing for a roster spot beyond the top five receivers. The source is open to the possibility that Kennedy could convince them to keep a sixth receiver, but for now has him off the projected 53-man roster.NegativeDepth ChartJul 27, 2026
Tom Kennedy received one vote from Pride of Detroit staff to make the Lions' 53-man roster as a receiver, likely due to surprise special teams contributions in 2024. However, with only 1 of 11 votes, his roster chances are minimal.