The Lions need a new punt returner, but they might be able to help solve another problem at the same time
Detroit is searching outside the roster after losing Kennedy for the season. Three attainable defensive backs with return experience could give Brad Holmes a way to address more than special teams.
The Detroit Lions beat the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, but the win came with a cost. Punt returner Tom Kennedy suffered a season-ending MCL injury, and now Detroit needs a new punt returner.
You absolutely hate to see it. Kennedy fought for years to make the Lions’ 53-man roster. He finally did it, and this is the year he goes down for the season.
Who replaces Tom Kennedy at punt returner?
To be honest, I don’t know who that guy is going to be. There are some options on the roster. Dominic Lovett, who is on the practice squad, looked like he was supposed to be Kalif Raymond’s eventual replacement when the Lions drafted him. We haven’t seen that happen yet. He struggled with some muffed punts during training camp this summer, but in my opinion, he got more comfortable as time went on.
Khalil Dorsey is an option. So is Sione Vaki. There are things the Lions can do internally.
One thing Lions coach Dan Campbell made clear is that he does not want Amon-Ra St. Brown in this role. I think we can all agree that is the right call. Definitely do not do that.
Campbell also mentioned that GM Brad Holmes has been grinding to see what’s out there for a return man. That got me thinking. If you’re going to look on the outside, how much can you help yourself beyond the return game? Can you shore up the secondary a little bit, too?
Look, you’re not going to find a guy who can be a CB1 or a starting safety and also return punts. That player doesn’t exist on the open market right now. But you could find a developmental player or a veteran with experience in the secondary who can also handle return duties. I found two guys worth looking at, and they’re all attainable right now.
Brandon Codrington
First up is San Francisco 49ers cornerback Brandon Codrington. Codrington went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. He has limited snaps at cornerback, but he has real experience as a return man. He has 37 punt returns for 371 yards with Buffalo, which comes out to 10 yards per return. Not bad at all.
He was also a Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team selection as a return man with the Bills. I’m not sure why he never got the opportunity to reach those heights again, but he’s been floating around a bit. Right now, he’s on the 49ers’ practice squad.
The cornerback side is clearly developmental. Still, Detroit needs help there, and Codrington could bring something. You get a return man with great experience and a player you can grow at cornerback. You kill two birds with one stone.
Miles Bryant
Next is Cleveland Browns cornerback Miles Bryant. He might offer the best balance of actual defensive experience and punt return ability. Bryant has 20 starts at cornerback in the NFL, four interceptions, and 17 pass breakups. He also has 25 career punt returns for 161 yards, mostly with the Patriots in 2022 and 2023.
The issue here is ball security. He had some fumbles on those returns, which is part of why he hasn’t returned a punt since 2023. It didn’t work out all that well in New England. But he has done the job for two seasons, and he has starts at cornerback in the league.
Bryant isn’t a starting cornerback for the Lions. He’s a guy you could bring in and get some actual reps out of on defense while he handles punts. Maybe you poach him and see what he’s got. I don’t see anything wrong with that.
If it were up to me, I’m going with Codrington all day. He’s younger, I think you can grow him into a cornerback, and he could be your punt returner for a long time. Let’s see who the Lions end up looking at.
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