Lions Put Bartch, Kennedy and White on IR to Close the Bye Week

The bye week didn't come cheap for Detroit.

On Friday the Lions placed guard Ben Bartch, wide receiver Tom Kennedy and linebacker Devin White on injured reserve, which means all three have to sit at least four games before they're eligible to come back.

Our Take: Kennedy is the one that stings. Dan Campbell said this week he'll miss the rest of the season after surgery on the knee he hurt in Sunday's win over Arizona, and he was a big part of the return game. Detroit already moved on that front, signing veteran DeAndre Carter on Thursday to handle some of those duties. White broke his forearm in the same game but, per Campbell, could be back later this year. Bartch hasn't played since Week 2 as he keeps working back from foot trouble.

The upside: three open roster spots, and safety Brian Branch and center Cade Mays have both been designated to return from IR. Getting Branch back on the back end would be a real lift.

What to watch: who fills the third spot, and how quickly Branch is cleared to play.

Sources: [Detroit Free Press](https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2026/10/16/detroit-lions-injury-update-as-tom-kennedy-2-others-on-ir/92287464007/), [NBC Sports / PFT](https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/lions-put-ol-ben-bartch-wr-tom-kennedy-lb-devin-white-on-injured-reserve), [NFL.com transactions](https://www.nfl.com/transactions/league/reserve-list/2026/10)