Detroit Lions Free Agency 2026 Day 4: Izien, Kennedy, & Nowaske medical review
Adding some depth to the Lions roster
After an empty Day 3 of NFL free agency, the Detroit Lions got back to work on Day 4 by re-signing a couple of their own well-known free agents and adding a player at a position of critical need.
Is Christian Izien’s injury history a concern? What is the outlook of Tom Kennedy and Trevor Nowaske? Can these players add healthy depth to the Lions roster?
For the full Detroit Lions free agent signings page, click here.
(Ages in parentheses are at the start of 2026 season.)
Tom Kennedy, WR (30)
Contract: undisclosed
Concern level 1/10
From my offseason Lions free agent article:
Kennedy will be just 30 years old even though it seems like he has been a member of the Lions for 30 years. He appeared in 6 games last season and showed nice flashes on kickoff returns.
As a receiver last season, he had a nice performance vs the Packers with 4 receptions.
I had a very low medical concern for Kennedy heading into the offseason, so it’s good to see the Lions bring this low-risk player back. With Kalif Raymond leaving for the Bears, Kennedy has a chance to have a bigger role in 2026.
Trevor Nowaske, LB (27)
Contract: undisclosed
Concern level 1/10
As written in my offseason Lions free agent article:
Nowaske missed 2 games last season due to an unspecified elbow injury. A concussion in 2024 is the other minor concern. His young age is a big plus.
Nowaske has played in 30 games in the past 2 seasons with the Lions. While he may not be starter material, it’s good to have this experienced, young LB back with the team.
Christian Izien, CB/S (26)
Contract: 1-year, $ undisclosed
Concern level: 2/10
2025: 14 games. Oblique, missed 1 game. Quad, missed 2 games.
2024: 14 games. Pec injury to IR late in season. Groin earlier.
2023: 17 games
Izien has 4 documented injuries the past 2 seasons - all of the soft tissue strain variety. While it could simply be bad luck, it bears watching moving forward. What helps him and the Lions is his very young age for a free agent.
He has played CB and S in the NFL which adds a lot of value to the Lions who have major injury concerns at both of those positions. At CB, the Lions have both Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw coming off shoulder surgeries. At safety, the Lions have Brian Branch possibly missing half the season in Achilles recovery, and Kerby Joseph with a highly uncertain knee situation.
For the latest on Kerby Joseph’s knee rehab…
In most cases, I don't think injury history is prevalent to the coming year. As long as a player is fit to play, whether or not he becomes an injury statistic is a matter of luck. Overall, the Lions are not in the luck business as it seems not to favor them as far as injuries go. There is a long, long history that supports this idea.