Sports · American Football · 4 hrs ago
Lions Sign DeAndre Carter to Practice Squad as Returner
The Detroit Lions are signing DeAndre Carter to their practice squad after losing returner Tom Kennedy to an MCL injury in Week 5.
Kennedy is expected to have surgery and spend the rest of the 2026 season recovering.
Carter, 33, has played in 116 regular-season and postseason games and has regularly returned punts and kicks during his eight-year career.
He has not played this season, and his likely role in Detroit is handling return duties.
The Lions used receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to return punts after Kennedy was hurt, while Jacob Saylors remains a top option on kick returns.
Detroit may bring Carter onto its active roster soon, but whether he joins the active roster remains unclear.
Detroit is signing DeAndre Carter to its practice squad as a veteran return option.
The Lions lost returner Tom Kennedy in Week 5, and he is expected to undergo MCL surgery and miss the rest of the 2026 season.
Carter and Steven Sims worked out for Detroit on Thursday.
Carter has made 116 combined regular-season and postseason appearances during his career.
He has not played in 2026 and has been a regular punt and kick returner during his eight-year career.
- Who
- The Detroit Lions and DeAndre Carter.
- What
- Detroit is signing Carter to its practice squad as a returner.
- When
- The signing was reported on October 15, 2026. Carter and Steven Sims worked out for the Lions on Thursday.
- Where
- Detroit.
- Why
- The Lions lost returner Tom Kennedy in Week 5 and are looking for a replacement.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Lions lost returner Tom Kennedy, who is expected to undergo MCL surgery and miss the rest of the 2026 season.
DeAndre Carter and Steven Sims worked out for Detroit.
Reports said Carter was signing with the Lions’ practice squad.
- Team
- Detroit Lions
- Practice squad signing
- DeAndre Carter
- Other workout participant
- Steven Sims
- Kennedy’s injury
- MCL; expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season
- Carter’s career appearances
- 116 combined regular-season and postseason games
1 source
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Veteran WR DeAndre Carter is signing with the Lions practice squad, per source. An experienced return man.
Lions worked out 2 WRs today per the transaction wire, DeAndre Carter and Steven Sims. Per @TomPelissero they are signing Carter, a longtime NFL kick returner