Detroit Lions wide receiver Kendrick Law’s rookie season is over before it had even begun after he was ruled out for the year with a torn knee ligament.
The heartbreaking injury occurred during a noncontact drill in offseason workouts, and will see the 22-year-old sidelined just weeks after being drafted.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell revealed the news to the media, explaining: ‘It’s part of it. Harsh reality, but he’ll get it out of the way early, have his whole career ahead of him.
‘Hate to start with that, that’s a bit of a negative, but everybody else is doing good. Everybody else is improving.’
The Lions drafted the former Kentucky star in the fifth round of the draft, having moved up 13 places to land him at No 168 overall.
Law boasts a 42-inch vertical jump and led Kentucky in receiving yards last season with 540, including 511 after the catch.
Kendrick Law speaks to the media at the NFL Combine, shortly before being drafted by Detroit
He impressed with Kentucky last season and the Lions moved up to draft him at the end of April
Lions head coach Dan Campbell revealed the news of Law’s ACL tear on Thursday
He transferred to Kentucky in 2025 after starting his career at Alabama, and the Lions had hoped that he would add depth on special teams and wide receiver in Detroit.
At wideout, the Lions’ depth chart includes superstar Amon-Ra St Brown, Jameson Williams and Isaac TeSlaa.
Law, who also returned kickoffs and punts in college, had 53 catches and three touchdowns for the Wildcats last year.
He played sparingly the previous three seasons at Alabama.
