There's already room to wonder whether Kalif Raymond will be in Detroit much longer, with his role shrinking. Now, there are reasons to wonder if perhaps the Lions have found the surprise answer that makes a split inevitable. The veteran returner/wide receiver missed Thursday's game against the Dallas Cowboys with an ankle injury, giving the Lions the chance to promote journeyman receiver Tom Kennedy to the active roster for the second straight game. Kennedy took advantage of the opportunity again.
Detroit Football Network's Justin Rogers aptly pointed out that "Tom Kennedy has been awesome as a kick returner tonight." This was accurate, and if anything undersold just how exciting and electric Kennedy was in the role. The veteran's heroics included a 42-yard kick return with just under four minutes left in the game that set up the game-clinching drive for the Detroit offense.
Bringing that kind of value on special teams after showing some offensive potential with a 4-reception, 36-yard game on Thanksgiving should earn Kenndy a 53-man roster spot. There is no denying that he's bringing the energy and explosiveness to warrant the move.
Tom Kennedy's Big Night Could Signal Kalif Raymond Upcoming Lions Exit
Even when Raymond is healthy, there is reason to wonder if the Lions could consider keeping Kennedy in his role. There is a level of intense fearlessness that Kennedy runs with that simply fits Detroit's roster perfectly. And while sometimes results have to trump the intangibles, Kennedy has actually topped Raymond in yards per kick return over limited samples in each of the last two seasons.
It's also likely that Jared Goff's confidence in Kennedy as a receiver would grow with a promotion — getting practice reps as a depth piece on offense rather than as a scout team body. As the Lions continue to deal with a myriad of injuries, this is a franchise needing to search for a spark in every possible way.
Kennedy could be that spark. As frustrating as it might be for Raymond, it has been clear since the start of the season that a split is a real possibility. The veteran's time with the Lions is coming to an end; the decision is simply whether that is at the end of the season or if Detroit wants to go ahead and make a move that allows Kennedy a chance at a roster spot.