The Detroit Lions are entering a pivotal matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, but they are trending towards having Kalif Raymond for that game. Raymond has been out for the past two games with an ankle injury and appears ready to return to the field after participating in practice. But his role remained uncertain with the emergence of Tom Kennedy as a kick and punt returner.
For Raymond’s case, he received some good news on Thursday when Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp told reporters, including Lions team writer Tim Twentyman, that while Kennedy will continue as the team’s kick returner, Raymond, if he’s healthy enough to play, will be the team’s punt returner moving forward.
While this seems like a good development, it may be delaying the inevitable, as Raymond's role could be on borrowed time as the Lions prepare for the Rams and potentially some offseason plans.
Kalif Raymond’s Future Still in Jeopardy Ahead of Potential Week 15 Return
Raymond has been a serviceable depth receiver and a kick returner since joining the Lions in 2021, but his performance has tailed off considerably this season. While he earned second-team All-Pro honors for his work as a punt returner, his average has nearly been cut in half this season, while his role in the offense has been reduced.
2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
Receptions | 17 | 15 |
Receiving Yards | 215 | 150 |
Receiving Touchdowns | 2 | 0 |
Punt Return Yards | 413 | 146 |
Punt Return Average | 13.8 | 7.3 |
Some of this is the accumulation of better talent on the roster, as Raymond’s production has slowly dropped since catching 47 passes for 616 yards during the 2022 season. But the recent drop off is far more concerning when you look at what else is happening on the Lions’ roster.
Kennedy has become a fan-favorite in Raymond’s absence and has been serving his role since the veteran got hurt in a Week 13 win over the New York Giants. He caught four passes for 36 in a Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers the following week, but has been consistent on special teams, gaining 42 yards on his two punt returns and averaging 33.5 yards on six kickoff returns in the past two weeks.
While it’s unsustainable to average 21 yards per punt return, it may be enough to have more consistency in that role. This is something that Raymond has failed to do with 7.3 yards per punt return and may end up costing him with Jameson Williams and rookie Isaac TeSlaa taking off in the offense in the coming weeks.
There is a way that Raymond can survive a little longer if he regains his form with a few good kick returns. But it may only be good enough to keep him in Detroit through the end of the season. The Lions could roll with a younger option in Kennedy next season, and they may be looking for similar options to fill in the back of the depth chart behind Williams, TeSlaa, and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
If anything, Raymond’s clock is already ticking despite Fipp's comments, and it could lead to his way out of Detroit in the coming weeks.