On Friday of the Detroit Lions’ bye week, the team announced they had placed three players on injured reserve: wide receiver/returner Tom Kennedy, offensive lineman Ben Bartch, and linebacker Devin White. All three players should miss at least the next four weeks but could be out longer with their injuries.
Kennedy, the Lions’ starting punt and kick returner, injured his MCL in Week 5 and will need season-ending surgery. Detroit originally hoped Kennedy would be able to return this season, but further testing showed he would not be able to return before the end of the season. The Lions are now looking for a new returner, although they have some intriguing practice squad options, including recently signed DeAndre Carter. All four practice squad wide receivers are expected to be included for duty and could take one of the three spots freed up by these transactions.
Bartch started the Lions’ Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills, filling in for left guard Christian Mahogany, but he suffered a foot injury that kept him out of the next three weeks of practices and games. With Bartch required to miss at least four games, the oft-injured lineman is in for another injury-sidelined season. The move could open the door for starting center Cade Mays to return to the active roster, as he is currently practicing within his injury evaluation window, and could potentially be ready to play against the Green Bay Packers in Week 7.
White suffered a broken forearm in Week 5, and like Kennedy, will require surgery. However, White may recover in time to return to the field, as broken bones typically take eight to 12 weeks to heal. With six linebackers already on the active roster, the Lions won’t need to add another player to their position group, and his spot will likely go to safety Brian Branch, who is also in his injury evaluation window and could return to the active roster in Week 7.
With the Lions on their bye week, they’re in no rush to fill any of these open spots if they don’t think a player has done enough to win a role on the active roster—like a returner—or if a player isn’t healthy enough to return, like Branch and Mays. Also worth keeping an eye on is veteran safety Jalen Mills, who was released from the practice squad last week after exhausting all three elevations on his roster. If the Lions feel they need more depth, they could look to bring him back as well.