Lions place 3 players on injured reserve, including offensive lineman

The Detroit Lions on Friday, Oct. 16, placed three players on injured reserve, including offensive lineman Ben Bartch, wide receiver Tom Kennedy and linebacker Devin White.

Both Kennedy (knee) and White (forearm) were hurt in Detroit’s win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Oct. 11. Kennedy has already been ruled out for the remainder of the season. White (forearm) will be out for “a while,” but “we’ll get him back at some point,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday, Oct. 12.

Bartch (foot) being placed on injured reserve is a mild surprise. The veteran missed time last season and during training camp with a foot injury, but he was ready to go in the opener and started at left guard against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 17. He’s been out since, not playing or practicing.

On Sept. 25, Campbell said he didn’t think Bartch’s injury was a long-term issue.

Being placed on injured reserve means Bartch will miss at least the next four games. The Lions are on a bye week. They’re next set to host the Green Bay Packers (Week 7) and Minnesota Vikings (Week 8) before visiting the Miami Dolphins (Week 9) and later playing against the New England Patriots (Week 10) in Munich, Germany.

The earliest Bartch or White could return is for Detroit’s home contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 11.

Luckily for the Lions, center Cade Mays is on track to make his season debut against the Packers, which will allow Juice Scruggs, who has been filling in at center while Mays worked back from a wrist injury, to transition into a depth role along the interior. Also expected back for Week 7 is safety Brian Branch, who hasn’t played in a game since he tore his Achilles last December.

rsilva@detroitnews.com

@rich_silva18

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Lions place 3 players on injured reserve, including offensive lineman