Lions lose 2 players to potential significant injuries vs. Cardinals

Detroit Lions punt returner Tom Kennedy (85) celebrates a run against Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co

The Detroit Lions got off to a slow and tough start against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Not only did they fall behind 7-0 in a hurry, but two Lions players also went to the locker room with injuries. While Detroit managed to rebound on the field in a big way, it wasn't great news for the two injured players.

First was linebacker Devin White. It wasn't clear how White, who was active for the first time since Week 2, suffered his injury, but he was listed as questionable to return with a forearm. The FOX broadcast showed him taking a cart to the locker room.

Unfortunately, coach Dan Campbell confirmed after the game that White suffered a broken forearm that will likely necessitate surgery.

I think Devin's probably going to need surgery. It's a broken forearm; it's unfortunate. I hate it because he was doing some good things for us in this game," Campbell said.

In White's absence, the Lions split LB3 snaps between Malcolm Rodriguez (23 snaps) and Trevor Nowaske (9).

Shortly thereafter, Lions punt returner Tom Kennedy suffered a knee injury on a return in which his foot was caught in the ground and his body was bent awkwardly. Kennedy was initially able to walk to the sidelines and was treated in the blue tent. However, eventually, he was carted to the locker room. The Lions officially listed him as questionable to return with a knee injury before downgrading him to out in the second half.

Campbell said they'll know more about his condition on Monday after more tests, but the expectation is he will miss significant time, too.

It doesn't look good, as far as anything short-term," Campbell said. We'll know a lot more tomorrow. I think it could be a sprain somewhere in there - a pretty good sprain. Neither one of them are going to be around here for a while so I hate that."

He later added, regarding Kennedy, I don't think it's long, long-term - I think it is something where we'll miss him for a little bit. We will see."

On the subsequent punt, Amon-Ra St. Brown was the returner for Detroit, and fumbled the ball, but the Lions recovered. He's unlikely to serve as Detroit's full-time punt returner, so we'll have to wait and see how Detroit responds. In kick return, it was cornerback Khalil Dorsey who took Kennedy's spot.