Kentucky wide receiver Kendrick Law was a surprise, yet exciting fifth-round draft pick made by the Detroit Lions, but he suffered a torn ACL and will sit during his rookie year
13:19 ET, 05 Jun 2026Updated 13:20 ET, 05 Jun 2026
Kendrick Law will miss his rookie season with the Detroit Lions after suffering a torn ACL
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Kendrick Law will miss his rookie season with the Detroit Lions after suffering a torn ACL(Image: Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Detroit Lions rookie Kendrick Law tore his ACL during Tuesday's practice, meaning the wide receiver will miss the 2026 season and be forced to wait until next year for his NFL debut.
It's been a chaotic NFL offseason, but teams have now returned to OTAs and voluntary minicamps to prepare for the upcoming campaign. Two blockbuster trades have occurred, with Myles Garrett joining the Los Angeles Rams and AJ Brown moving to the New England Patriots.
Top-ranked rookie Fernando Mendoza is battling with Kirk Cousins for the starting role in Las Vegas, but first-round receiver Makai Lemon is already dealing with a hamstring issue. Law, who was picked by the Lions in the fifth round, had high hopes for 2026 but will miss the entire season.
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Law was the 168th overall pick out of Kentucky, though he previously played at Alabama. Lions head coach Dan Campbell was impressed with Law from the first workout and, despite a stacked wide receiver room, hoped to get him involved next season.
Campbell confirmed that Law could miss the year and suffered a torn ACL during a non-contact drill. "I hate it for him," Campbell said Thursday. "This kid was doing a good job.
"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 had impressed since arriving in Detroit and was set to be a kick and punt returner
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Law had impressed since arriving in Detroit and was set to be a kick and punt returner(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
The selection of Law in the 2026 NFL Draft was unexpected, as Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa already led a talented wide receiver room. However, Detroit saw Law as a future asset in the passing game, with scope to use him as a punt returner.
Law had gained experience on punt and kick returns in college and was the Crimson Tide's primary option in 2023. "I saw him out there on the field and I was just impressed about his build and how explosive he was," said Lions general manager Brad Holmes.
"I had no idea who the player was. And so, I just told Ray, I was like, ‘Who’s that Number 1 out there?’ I was calling (Brian) Hudspeth, our college (scouting) director, and I was like, ‘Man, is this guy an underclassman? Is he going to come out?’ And all that.
Lions GM Brad Holmes is extremely excited for Law's impact
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Lions GM Brad Holmes is extremely excited for Law's impact(Image: Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
"He said, ‘Nah, he’s going to go back to school.’ I didn’t think about him at all till last fall, and he kind of popped up on that list and I was like, ‘Oh, this is the kid that I saw a year ago at Alabama.’
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"So, I was fired up about just what he did offensively. I had no idea about his special teams ability. And that’s what really elevated him even more, and not just a return (man like Kalif Raymond), but this guy can play gunner.
"He’s really… he’s four-phase special teams player and he’s another one that’s just − he’s a dog, man. He’s a football player."
With Law out for the reason, the Lions will be forced to rethink returning duties. However, with several receivers competing for a spot behind the star outlets, some volunteers will be needed.