Lions Make HUGE Signing...This has MAJOR Implications!

Well, the 53 man roster is set for the Lions with a major signing that could have huge implications, not only on the roster, but also on the game plan for the Lions heading into the season opener against the Saints. Coming up Sunday, September 13. We're going to dive into that signing and just what those implications could be to the game plan that and a whole lot more on this edition of Lions Digest. Hey, everybody, Captain Lou here want to take a moment to welcome those of you that are checking us out for the first time to Lions Digest. And those of you that haven't subscribed, we invite you to do so. Hit that button. It's free. Help us get to our goal of 1000 subscribers. And again, welcome to Lions Digest. Well, the 53 man roster is all set with a major signing from the Lions. Dave Burkett of the Detroit Free Press has reported that the Lions have signed Tom Kennedy off the practice squad onto the 53 man roster. Dave Pip, special teams coordinator for the Lions has said that he will handle all the punt returns for the Lions and be one of the kick returners as well. Heading into that opening game against the Saints. Now he was asked why they went with Tom Kennedy and who made the decision to go with him over Greg Dorch, who the Lions signed in the offseason to be not only the third or fourth wideout for the Lions, but also to handle the kick and punt returns. As it was reported by Justin Rogers of the Detroit football network. Dave Pip said the decision was squarely on general manager Brad Holmes and the head coach Dan Campbell. Brad Holmes, of course, has said earlier in the month, or last month rather, that he wanted somebody that could handle the punt returns a little bit wider of a body, one that could take the punishment of a punt return. But what kind of concerns me more than kind of does it concerns me a lot is that he is not just going to be the primary kick returner for the Lions. Justin Rogers also reported from the Detroit football network that Pip said that Jacob Saylors will be the primary kick returner for the Lions and Kennedy will share those duties. Now Jacob Saylors is also going to be one of the running backs that's going to spell Jameer Gibbs. He could be Saylors could be the knuckles to our Sonic Jameer Gibbs. With David Montgomery gone, it's running back by committee behind Gibbs. And I don't know if I want Saylors as my primary kick returner. And a great question was posed by one of our loyal viewers here, Dan Monette. He asked me as well. What happens if Saylors gets injured? It's such a big risk on the kick return team, they take just as much punishment. And he's going to be one of the guys that the Lions rely on to give Jameer Gibbs a breather. So it begs the question and I have to ask you, what do you think should Saylors be used as a primary kick returner for the Lions heading into that season opener against the Saints? Yes, it's not a problem. Why not use them? Or no, why risk it? It is too risky. And I'm right there with you. I think it's very risky for the Lions to do this. One of the things that I don't think is risky is the Lions pick to win game one against the Saints on Sunday. That's why I'm going to roll with our brand new partner here on Lions Digest. And I'm going to trade yes for the Lions winning by at least six and a half. Now, Kelshi, remember, you're trading directly against other users, not the traditional sports book. You're buying yes or no contracts on the outcomes of events, sporting events, politics, even the weather. Now if you check this graph out right here, for the Lions to do that, winning by six and a half, 54% say yes, that's how it's trading right now. What does that mean? Well, if you trade $25 on this potential outcome for the Lions to win by over six and a half, you'll get $44 plus on that trade of $25. Now, why do you ask $25? Well, it's that simple. If you're interested in trying out Kelshi, use the link in the description. And when you trade $25, use the promo code Digest NFL, and you'll get $25 added to your account instantly. It's that simple. The games have started. You saw the outcomes last night. And of course, on Wednesday, the Rams, the super team, they're not 17 and 0. But a reminder that all the football games trade on Kelshi. All right, let's take a look at that running back room real quick for the Lions. Again, a little bit concerned about the decision maybe to have Sailors be the primary kick returner. This is all we got heading into the season opener for the Lions. Now I know they got Jabari Small on the practice squad, but he's not going to be activated to be a fourth running back. So this is it. Jameer Gibbs is our Sonic. That's a given. He's our bell cow. Now we've we've said to trade on Kelshi for him to get over 1250 yards, I think he's going to get at least 350 touches as a running back and wide receiver combined, if not more. So it leaves you two running backs, and the Lions are going running back by committee. We saw what Sailors did in the preseason. He's, to me, he should be the primary backup to Jameer Gibbs. So I'm not too, I'm not too excited about him taking kick returns for the Lions. Shion Bakke, he's going to be the other other running back. This is his time to shine as well. It's up in the air. The Lions will probably go with three backs in that season opener against the Saints, but I just don't like the idea of having Shion, having Jacob Sailors as the backup running back. Or are and also the primary kick returner for the Lions. Now let's take a look at Tom Kennedy's kick stats and punt return stats. I should say kick and punt return stats rather. Come on up there. Where are you hiding that? There we go. He's returned 26 kicks for the Lions in his career, primarily the last couple of years. He averages 27 yards of return. He's only returned four punts in his career, but he's going to be the primary punt returner. He's averaged about 14 to 15 yards of return. So that's what we're looking at kind of a it's going to go on his shoulders, as it looks like this, at least for the punt returns. Now, Sailors return kicks for a 28 yard average. I get it last year for the Lions, but he was in a different role. He's not going to be or could be the knuckle, the primary backup to Jameer Gibbs. So again, I ask you this question. Do you think that Jacob Sailors should be the primary kick returner for the Lions? I say no, no way would I risk it. So that's the question. I'd love to see you answer right here on Lions Digest. Real quick practice for the Lions. Great news there for the Lions. No absences. Only three players really had limited participation. This according to Jeremy Reisman for Detroit on Lion. The three that were the limited participants for the Lions on Thursday were Christian Izzian. He's been out with a groin injury. He's up in the air really. He was pencil in to be the starting nickelback. It looks like Roger McCreary is going to handle that on Sunday against the Saints. Makai Wingo, he's been dealing with the same injury on the defensive line primary backup. You may see him a little bit, but I think that Skyler Gilhoward is going to take over for him as the backup lineman. The one that concerns me, obviously is one of our edge rushers. You know, I know we've got Aiden Hutchinson and we've got Woonam, but Derek Moore, who they drafted in the second round, limited participation, I think that he's going to be more of a game time decision. He was a limited participant again yesterday, didn't see much action in the preseason. One of our edge rushers being hobbled by that hamstring injury. So that's kind of the injury report. As they get updated, make sure you check us out here on Lions Digest. Do our short videos and our updated videos as well throughout the weekend as we'll get you set for that season opener against the Saints. All right, that's going to do it for this edition of Lions Digest. Again, for those of you that haven't hit that subscribe button, I invite you to do so. Help us get to our goal of 1000 subscribers here on Lions Digest. We'd love to have you do that. We appreciate that those of you that have done it. I say thank you very much. The response has been off the chart. We are a loyal fan base. There's no doubt about it. Let's prove that we are the most passionate fan base in all the professional sports. That is the Lions fan base. Until next time you're on Lions Digest, Captain Lou saying keep your heads up, keep your sticks down, keep your feet moving. And as always, keep your minds open. So long.