The Detroit Lions brought in some reinforcements for their wide receiving room this season, additions that could close the door on a fan-favorite player’s return to the active roster.
The team added veteran receiver Greg Dortch and drafted Kentucky pass-catcher Kendrick Law, who are both projected to serve as reserves behind the team’s top three receivers. Richard Silva of the Detroit News predicts that Tom Kennedy, one of the team’s longest-tenured players and a fixture of the practice squad, could once again find himself on the wrong side of the roster bubble at the end of the summer.
Tough Road for Tom Kennedy
Silva noted that the Lions have a lot of talent at the top of their wide receiver room with All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown and speedster Jameson Williams, with strong performances from Isaas TeSlaa in his rookie season in 2025.
“Detroit’s collection of talent at wide receiver includes star power, depth and varied skill sets,” Silva wrote. “St. Brown and Williams were the only teammates in the NFL last season to each have more than 1,100 receiving yards, and TeSlaa was promising in a limited sample size, catching 16 of his 27 targets for 239 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie.”
Dortch is seen as a replacement for veteran Kalif Raymond, while fifth-round pick Kendrick Law is penciled in on the 53-man roster as a reserve. That could leave Kennedy vying with three others — Dominic Kovett, Jackson Meeks, and Malik Cunningham — for what would likely be the final spot on the roster.
“Law’s addition in the fifth round makes for a competitive battle for the fifth spot on the depth chart between himself, Lovett and Kennedy, and don’t discount the big-bodied Meeks or veteran Cunningham,” Silva wrote. “We’re giving the edge to Law because of his aggressive nature as a run blocker and his skills with the ball in his hands, which were on display at Kentucky in 2025 (505 yards after the catch).”
Tom Kennedy Showed Special Teams Versatility
The Lions had re-signed Kennedy earlier this offseason, bringing him back for what would be his eighth season in Detroit. Though he mostly remained on the fringes of the roster and was a longtime member of the practice squad, Kennedy showed his value last season when he filled in as the team’s return specialist.
Kennedy earned a game ball in a win over the Dallas Cowboys, getting praise from the team’s coaching staff.
âI canât tell you how ecstatic I am for Tom Kennedy,â said special teams coordinator Dave Fipp, via SB Nationâs Pride of Detroit. âI mean thereâs nobody who deserves the attention and the recognition more than him in this building. I mean a guy whoâs just worked his tail off every single day the whole time heâs been here. Never ever complained about the reps heâs getting, the opportunity heâs getting. Whether he knows he can do something better than maybe some other guy whoâs getting his shot before him. And then for him to get the opportunity and then go out there and make the most of it, youâve got to give him a lot of credit.â
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