Getty Dylan Drummond runs after making a catch in a Detroit Lions preseason game.
The Detroit Lions found a breakout preseason star in Dylan Drummond, but the rookie wide receiver’s star faded during the season and the team parted ways with him ahead of Week 13.
The Lions announced that they released the undrafted free agent from the practice squad on November 29, making room for veteran wide receiver Tom Kennedy to rejoin the practice squad. Drummond had made a name for himself with some strong performances in training camp and the preseason and almost immediately found a chance with a new team after getting cut by Detroit.
The New York Giants signed Drummond to their practice squad on November 20, according to USA Today’s Giants Wire. The Giants announced that they had released linebacker Oshane Ximinies from the practice squad in a corresponding move.
The Giants signed WR Dylan Drummond go their practice squad while releasing Oshane Ximines from the practice squad.
Dylan Drummond Impressed in the Summer
Drummond flashed his skill in the preseason with nine receptions for 87 yards, according to Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire. He showed off an ability to get open out of the slot and displayed versatility as a return specialist, but he failed to make the final 53-man roster and then fell behind Daurice Fountain and Maurice Alexander on the practice squad.
Drummond did appear in one game this season for the Lions — their 42-24 win on October 8 over the Carolina Panthers — but made little impact, appearing in just five offensive snaps and three special teams stats without amassing any stats.
When the Lions had a chance to bring back a more proven veteran, Drummond lost his spot on the practice squad.
“On Wednesday, the Lions signed veteran wideout Tom Kennedy to the practice squad and released Drummond to make room,” Risdon wrote. “Kennedy returned after being waived/injured over the summer, ironically a situation that presented Drummond with a bigger opportunity. A free agency visit early in the week convinced the Lions to sign Kennedy and let Drummond go.”
Kennedy first joined the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2019, making 14 total receptions for 195 yards over the course of three seasons. Kennedy was back in training camp this summer but was waived in August with an injury settlement, CBS Sports.
Dan Campbell Confident About Detroit Lions After Thanksgiving Loss
The move will add some proven depth to an offense that has struggled with turnovers over the course of the last two games. After a Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said he was confident the team would get back on track.
“I know what it looks like, and we’ve been good enough out there, but I’m not panicked,” according to NFL.com. “We got the right guys who know how to play. We’re going to clean some things up, and we’ll have six (games) to go when we get back. And the fight is on now. I mean, they think these are going to be some cruise control. We’re going to have to fight and scratch and fight and claw for everything, man. We have to. That’s the type of team we are. That’s where we’re at.”