Tom Kennedy is tentatively set to be the Lions’ primary returner. Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp told the media during his weekly press conference Thursday that Kennedy has done enough to keep the job.
Kalif Raymond will continue to be the punt returner, and Fipp mentioned his thoughts on both roles.
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“Kalief is obviously an incredible player for us, so I would see him starting as our punt returner and I would definitely see Tom Kennedy being a part of the punt return game,” Fipp said. “Coming out, I’m definitely going to see him return kicks.” Kennedy has been filling in for Redmond in the kick return game since injuring his ankle in Week 12 and has performed very well over the past two weeks, including averaging 40 yards per return in Week 14 against the Cowboys.
While Redmond is set to return — he was limited to two days of practice this week — Kennedy will be one of two players returning to kickoff. Raymond will likely join Kennedy deep, while also serving as the primary punt returner once he’s healthy. Jacob Sellers was another option for an alliance with Kennedy.
Fip was full of praise for Kennedy and the job he has done over the past two weeks to help keep the game consistent.
“I can’t tell you how ecstatic I am about Tom Kennedy,” Fipp said, via Jeremy Raisman of SB Nation. “I mean, there’s no one in this building who deserves more attention and recognition than him. I mean, he works his ass off every single day he’s here. Never complains about the reps he gets, the opportunities he gets. Whether he knows he can do better than other guys who get opportunities before him or not. And then, in order for him to get that opportunity and then go out and make the most of it, you’ve got to give him a lot of credit.”
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Kennedy turned a question mark into an exclamation point, and now the Lions have two very reliable returners at their disposal.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Dave Fipp says Tom Kennedy will remain at returner