Opportunity knocked for Tom Kennedy during Wednesday’s practice, and by all accounts he took advantage.
With the additions the Lions made at wide receiver, and Quintez Cephus and Trinity Benson showing well during OTAs and/or training camp, Tom Kennedy is a forgotten man perhaps on the wrong side of the roster bubble. If he’s even on the roster bubble.
But Cephus has been out of practice for over a week now due to a leg injury that’s not as bad as it looked like it could’ve been. Benson missed a second straight practice on Wednesday, even as the team had a lighter, no-pads session.
So the door was open for someone to step up during the wide receiver reps, and that someone appears to have been Kennedy.
Tom Kennedy has to take advantage of every chance he gets
Kennedy played in 12 games for the Lions last season, but he didn’t play much (189 total snaps, offense and special teams). He had six receptions and a highlight reel 75-yard touchdown pass, along with four kickoff returns for 89 yards. In three total seasons with the Lions, including the entire 2020 season on the practice squad, he has played 13 games.
On Wednesday, Kennedy got substantial run with the second-team offense during practice. Tim Twentyman of the Lions website had a note in his observations from Day 13 of camp.
"Wide receiver Quintez Cephus has been out of practice for over a week now due to injury and wide receiver Trinity Benson missed his second practice in a row Wednesday with an undisclosed injury. That gave Tom Kennedy an opportunity to play significant reps, and he took advantage. He had at least three catches for big gains in team periods. Kennedy always seems to make the most of the opportunities he gets in training camp and the preseason."
John Maakaron of SI.com had a similar sentiment about Kennedy.
"With the absence of Benson, Tom Kennedy saw increased reps at practice on the second team offense. During camp, Kennedy has remained diligent and oftentimes takes advantage of any opportunity he receives."
Kennedy is in line to see significant action in Friday night’s preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons. His odds to make the Lions’ 53-man roster are still very long, but if he continues to make the most of the chances he gets it will get harder to dismiss him.