Lions returner Tom Kennedy suffers significant MCL injury, expected to miss season
Detroit's receiver and return man faces season-ending surgery after further testing revealed the full extent of the knee damage from Sunday's win over Arizona
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Lions receiver and returner Tom Kennedy suffered a significant MCL injury in Sunday's win over the Cardinals, and the damage is expected to require surgery that will end his season.
Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo): #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.
Head coach Dan Campbell had initially hoped Kennedy's absence would be shorter, but further testing revealed the extent of the damage, per Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport. Kennedy has carved out a niche in Detroit as a dependable depth receiver and a steady presence in the return game, and Detroit's coaching staff pointed to his value on special teams when discussing the injury on Monday.
The Lions' injury list is a live concern heading into Week 6: the team is already managing pass-catcher depth and special-teams assignments after a physical stretch, and losing a returner with Kennedy's sure hands adds another layer to the decision-making on gameday. Detroit will now have to fill his role on returns while keeping the receiver rotation intact behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and company.