Detroit Lions lose Farmingdale’s Tom Kennedy for season to knee injury

Farmingdale native Tom Kennedy will miss the remainder of the Detroit Lions’ season after suffering a significant knee injury during Sunday’s 45-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Kennedy, a wide receiver and punt returner, is expected to undergo surgery, according to NFL Network insiders Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport.

The injury occurred during a punt return when Kennedy’s right knee bent awkwardly. He remained on the ground before being carted off the field and did not return.

Lions coach Dan Campbell initially expressed hope that Kennedy’s absence would be brief, but further testing revealed significant damage to his medial collateral ligament (MCL).

A Farmingdale High School graduate, Kennedy played college football at Bryant University before signing with Detroit as an undrafted free agent in 2019.

Kennedy had been serving as the Lions’ primary punt returner this season.

Earlier this season, Campbell praised Kennedy for responding to the coaching staff’s challenge to take a more aggressive approach in the return game.

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Top: Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) is looked at by medical staff during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz., Sunday, Oct. 11. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)