The Detroit Lions are without multiple key starters to begin training camp, including safety Kerby Joseph. The 25-year-old has been dealing with a nagging knee injury that caused him to miss most of the 2025 campaign and kept him out of offseason workouts this spring.
Joseph is also not participating in camp, as the Lions placed him on the physically unable to performlist earlier this week, and the most recent update on his injury from head coach Dan Campbell is not ideal. Campbell said Wednesday that it would be a bonusif Joseph is available for Detroit's Week 1 contest against the New Orleans Saints, signaling that the Lions will likely be without the star safety to kick off the regular season.
With Joseph's running mate, Brian Branch, also out as he recovers from a torn Achilles suffered in December 2025, there's a solid chance Detroit will be without its top two safeties to start the year. Branch is progressing well and could even return to the practice field in September, but the Alabama product likely won't be active for games until October.
Though Joseph's status for Week 1 is looking gloomy, and a lingering knee injury like this would have most players frustrated, the 2024 first-team All-Pro selection is still staying positive while facing immense adversity.
Kerby Joseph Still Optimistic for Early Season Return
At Lions training camp on Thursday, Joseph was asked whether he is still optimistic that he'll be on the field early in the year, and it's safe to say the Illinois product is fully confident in a return sooner rather than later.
"I'm super optimistic," Joseph said. "I never give up. I'm gonna always work hard."
Joseph also went into detail about his injury, stating that his knee randomly swelled up one day, and he initially didn't think much of it. However, an MRI later revealed a bigger issue.
It's nice to see that Joseph is keeping his spirits high, but there's no denying that this knee injury has been disheartening for all parties involved. In April 2025, the Lions signed Joseph to a lucrative four-year extension worth $86 million, and that deal may not age well if this injury continues to hold back the fifth-year safety.
We'll see whether Joseph can return at some point during camp and suit up early in the season. With Detroit already facing uncertainty at corner and Branch still out, Joseph's health has become a major storyline that isn't going away anytime soon.
