After WR’s abrupt departure, the Lions are considering bringing back a multi-sport star.
After the unexpected departure of veteran wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr., the Detroit Lions may be seeking to bring back a familiar face.
Jones missed Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens due to a personal situation, and the two sides agreed to release Jones this week. With a void in their receiving corps, the Lions are considering re-signing receiver and multi-sport standout Tom Kennedy for a second stint with the team.
Groundbreaking Athlete Pays a Visit
Reporter Ben Volin of the Boston Globe reported that the Lions held a workout with Kennedy on October 25, though it was not immediately clear if the team intended to sign him.
As ESPN reported, Kennedy was recruited to Bryant University to play both lacrosse and football. He would go on to be selected in the third round by Major League Lacrosse’s Boston Cannons in the 2018 draft, and signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2019. That made him the first athlete ever to play in a professional lacrosse league and the NFL.
Kennedy spent the next three seasons in Detroit, making 14 catches for 195 yards. He returned for training camp this year, but his time was cut short after suffering an arm injury. As CBS Sports reported, the Lions waived Kennedy in August with an injury settlement though he is now eligible to return to the team should they choose to re-sign him.
Lions Lose Veteran Receiver
The workout with Kennedy came after the Lions parted ways with Jones, who said he had to step away from the team for personal reasons. In a message posted on his Instagram page, Jones explained that it was difficult for him to leave, but he needed to tend to his family.
“I just want to say that I have so much love and respect for the Ford Family, the city of Detroit, my teammates and coaches,” Jones wrote. “To be brief, I am stepping away from the team to take care of personal family matters. Although this was no easy decision, I cannot be the person/player that I need to be for this team as well as tend to my family from afar.”
The Lions’ receiving corps has changed in recent weeks, with second-year receiver Jameson Williams returning earlier than planned. He was originally punished for six games for breaking the league’s gambling regulations, but the NFL reduced his term to four games as part of a bigger revamp of gambling punishments.
Williams’ influence has been limited in his return, with four catches for 55 yards and a touchdown but struggles at times. Williams had no receptions on three targets in the Ravens’ loss on Sunday, including two massive drops late in the fourth quarter.
According to Russell Brown of USA Today’s LionsWire, the inconsistent performances have sparked concerns about Williams and his long-term place in the Lions’ offense.
“Through three games this season, there has been flashes from Williams,” Brown stated in an email. “He’s demonstrated his speed and deep threat ability.” The consistency is absent, and it appears like the rapport with Jared Goff isn’t the same as it is with the team’s other receivers. Maybe with more time, but as I already stated, we’ve been patient. We’ll be patient, but the question for Jameson Williams and the Lions is straightforward. “How long will it be?”
