One Lions rookie will have to wait an extra year to make his NFL debut
Head coach Dan Campbell announced Thursday that fifth-round pick Kendrick Law tore his ACL and will miss the 2026 season.
“I hate it for him. This kid was doing a good job,” Campbell said. “But it’s part of it. Harsh reality, but he’ll get it out the way early and have his whole career in front of him.”
Law was drafted out of Kentucky after catching 53 passes for 540 yards and three touchdowns. But what really helped his draft stock was his experience on special teams where he was a strong punt and kick returner in the SEC.
Law committed to Alabama out of high school and stayed for three years. He didn’t get much playing time, logging just one touchdown over that span.
The Shreveport, Louisiana native was ready to compete in a solid receiver room in Detroit that includes starters Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa.
Injuries are a part of football, but for the Lions last year, they derailed what was a promising season.
They took away almost their entire starting defensive backfield when safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph were sidelined late in the season. Cornerback Terrion Arnold also missed half of the season with a torn right shoulder.
On offense, the biggest loss was tight end Sam LaPorta, who had a herniated disk in November and did not return for the rest of the season.
Those injuries led to the Lions missing the playoffs with a 9-8 record. The elimination from the postseason stopped a two-year streak of reaching the playoffs.
Just two years ago the Lions were on the cusp of making the Super Bowl, but ended up losing to the 49ers.
The Lions are hoping this injury is not a sign of things to come in the 2026 season, as they have proven to be contenders when healthy.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
