Lions To Sign WR DeAndre Carter

Detroit spent Thursday looking at free agent options to serve as Kennedy’s replacement. DeAndre Carter and Steven Sims worked out for the Lions, as noted by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Carter is now being signed, The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reports.

Carter is signing to Detroit’s practice squad, Pelissero adds. The 33-year-old will offer plenty of experience to his latest team, having made 116 combined regular and postseason appearances during his career. Carter has yet to play in 2026, but he will offer the Lions a veteran option in the return game.

The former UDFA has been a regular punt and kick returner throughout his eight-year career. Carter was also an offensive presence with the Chargers in 2021, totaling a career-high 36 catches and 538 yards that season. Since then, however, he has largely been a nonfactor on offense during stints in Las Vegas, Chicago and Cleveland. Carter’s path to playing time in the Motor City will no doubt consist of return duties.

Jacob Saylors remains a top kick return option for Detroit. The Lions turned to Amon-Ra St. Brown as their punt returner after Kennedy was injured in Week 5, however. The team would of course prefer to avoid a repeat of that setup moving forward. As a result, it will be interesting to see if Carter makes his way onto the active roster in short order.