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Tom Kennedy fantasy football news and podcast insights

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WRDET40 insightsLatest Sep 14, 2026

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Sep 14, 2026

Latest update

PositiveProjectionSep 14, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Kennedy shook off an opening kickoff muff and had at least one decent punt return in Week 1; he was part of the Lions' D+ special teams unit.

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NegativeRoleSep 14, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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PositiveUsageSep 13, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Punt returner Tom Kennedy had a strong return of 17 yards, putting the Lions at the Saints' 44-yard line to start their next drive.

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NegativeRoleSep 13, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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PositiveRoleSep 10, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Lions head coach Dan Campbell confirmed Kennedy would have a role in Sunday's game against the Saints, leading to his promotion from practice squad to the 53-man roster on Thursday. Kennedy has been with the Lions since 2019 and has bounced between practice squad and active roster multiple times; he carries 18 catches for 231 yards in 30 career games. The source indicates Kennedy's primary contribution will likely be as a returner rather than in receiving role.

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NegativeDepth ChartSep 10, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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PositiveRoleSep 10, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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NegativeDepth ChartSep 10, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Kennedy is likely the WR4 on the Lions behind starters Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa, competing with former UFL receiver Tay Martin for depth snaps; Detroit values his work ethic and versatility across wide receiver positions.

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PositiveRoleSep 10, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Kennedy was signed from the practice squad to Detroit's 53-man roster and will serve as the team's starting punt returner while also being in the mix at kick returner; coach Dan Campbell confirmed Kennedy would play in Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints.

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PositiveRoleSep 10, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp confirmed that Tom Kennedy will be the Lions' starting punt returner, a role previously announced by head coach Dan Campbell. Kennedy also appears to be one of the team's primary kick returners alongside running back Jacob Saylors, with Fipp expressing confidence in both players' experience in the role.

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PositiveRoleSep 10, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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NegativeRoleSep 7, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Leading candidate to fill Detroit's remaining 53-man roster spot; likely to be part of Sunday's roster as the leading candidate for starting punt returner and fourth or fifth wide receiver; Lions may delay signing him until after Week 1 to avoid his contract becoming fully guaranteed.

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NegativeRoleSep 7, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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PositiveRoleSep 2, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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PositiveBreakoutSep 2, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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PositiveRoleSep 2, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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NegativeRoleSep 2, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Tom Kennedy is the Lions' primary punt returner.

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NegativeDepth ChartSep 2, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Listed as a punt returner on the Lions' special teams.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 31, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 31, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Signed to Detroit Lions 2026 practice squad as wide receiver; Lions practice squad functions as extension of 53-man roster with competitive performers earning gameday elevation opportunities.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 31, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Wide receiver Tom Kennedy was released by the Detroit Lions and cleared waivers, becoming a free agent.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 31, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Kennedy was also released in the Lions' initial 53-man roster cuts. The source had expected Kennedy to win the fifth receiver spot after Greg Dortch was released, but Kennedy was cut in the final rounds as well, leaving the Lions with only four receivers and no clear punt returner solution.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 31, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 30, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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NegativeProjectionAug 30, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Tom Kennedy maintained 0 votes for the 53-man roster with no change from prior predictions, remaining off the Lions' offensive roster bubble.

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NegativeRoleAug 29, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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NegativeRoleAug 29, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Kennedy has a case for WR5 but was not selected for the 53-man roster; his only special teams contribution is as a returner, and the source felt Greg Dortch and Jacob Saylors could handle those duties just as well, making Tay Martin the preferred fifth receiver.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 29, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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NegativeRoleAug 29, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

The source projects Kennedy to miss the 53-man roster, losing the WR5 competition to Tay Martin despite being in contention through camp.

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PositiveRoleAug 29, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 29, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Kennedy is competing for a fifth or sixth receiver spot on the Lions' 53-man roster. The veteran can play multiple offensive roles and has recently expanded his value by becoming a top returner on the team, giving him multiple ways to contribute beyond receiving.

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NegativeRoleAug 29, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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NegativeRoleAug 29, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Tom Kennedy is projected as one of the top reserves competing for a wide receiver roster spot alongside Tay Martin and Dominic Lovett. His special teams performance in the preseason finale will be critical to his 53-man roster chances.

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NegativeUsageAug 27, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Kennedy was targeted on a quick slant in the second-team scrimmage (Drive #2), where Nick Whiteside broke up the third-down pass.

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NegativeUsageAug 27, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Kennedy was targeted on a quick slant with the second-team offense but the pass was broken up by Nick Whiteside on third down.

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NegativeValueAug 27, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 27, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Veteran with $0 salary guarantees; falls into category of players Lions could potentially release during roster cuts and re-sign in Week 2 to circumvent vested veteran salary guarantee rule, though source indicates Lions unlikely to pursue this strategy.

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NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026Pride Of Detroit

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.

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NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Played 7 snaps (10%) and 6 special teams snaps (27%) in wide receiver rotation.

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PositiveRoleAug 23, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

The special teams coordinator indicated that the punt return job was largely down to Greg Dortch and Tom Kennedy, positioning Kennedy ahead of Dominic Lovett for special teams opportunities. Kennedy also received snaps ahead of Lovett on the wide receiver depth chart.

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