Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has provided a cautious update on safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, both of whom remain on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. While Branch is reportedly closer to a return from a torn Achilles, Joseph continues to struggle with a chronic knee injury.
The Detroit Lions are facing a critical roster crossroads with two of their primary defensive anchors. Safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are currently sidelined on the PUP list, leaving the team to weigh the risks of activating them before the regular season or accepting a mandatory four-game absence for either player.
If the Lions leave a player on the PUP list when the initial 53-man roster is set, that player is guaranteed to miss the first four games of the season. Activating them before the deadline allows them to return as soon as they are medically cleared, but it consumes a precious roster spot during final cuts.
Kerby Joseph’s Chronic Knee Struggle
The situation surrounding Kerby Joseph is significantly more complex than a standard recovery. The former All-Pro is dealing with a degenerative chronic knee problem characterized by cartilage damage and swelling that developed over time rather than from a single collision. Because there is no surgical procedure to “fix” the issue, Joseph has relied on rehabilitation and strength programs.
Despite reports that his rehabilitation was progressing very well
earlier in the month, Campbell has been unable to provide a definitive timeline for Joseph’s return. The uncertainty has grown as Joseph has spent time away from the team handling an undisclosed personal matter, though officials do not believe this represents a medical setback.
“I wish I could make you feel good. I can’t make you feel good. It’s going to come as it comes, and he’s not ready. We’re trying to get him there as fast as we can, and we’re trying to be as smart about it as we can.”
Dan Campbell, Lions Head Coach
The lack of clarity has led to speculation about Joseph’s long-term future. When asked by 97.1 The Ticket what would need to change for Joseph to get back on the field, Campbell responded, I guess, nothing
. This ambiguity is particularly stark given the financial stakes, as Joseph has a $16.6 million option bonus due in March 2027.
Brian Branch’s Achilles Timeline
In contrast to Joseph’s chronic condition, Brian Branch is recovering from a specific traumatic injury. The 24-year-old suffered a torn Achilles on Dec. 4 during a game against the Dallas Cowboys. Following surgery, Branch’s rehab has remained on schedule, and he has spent training camp working with the medical and performance staff.
Campbell has indicated that Branch is closer to returning than Joseph. Current expectations suggest a return to practice in early September, with game action potentially following in early October. The Lions have explicitly avoided accelerating this timeline just to secure a Week 1 appearance.
Secondary Depth and Roster Adjustments
The absence of both starting safeties has already strained the Lions’ secondary. The team’s depth was further tested in Week 2 when they lost Avonte Maddox to injury. In response, Detroit added veteran Jalen Mills to the practice squad to bolster their numbers.
- Chuck Clark and Christian Izien: Offseason veterans likely to step in at safety.
- Thomas Harper: A player who started nine games last year, though he has been dealing with an ankle injury.
- Avonte Maddox: Had taken first-team reps and showed promise in the preseason before his recent injury.
The Risk of the PUP Decision
The Lions are currently balancing medical safety against tactical flexibility. While the team would prefer to have their primary safeties patrolling the back end of the defense, doing so requires a gamble on their immediate health.
If the team decides that neither player is likely to return before four games have passed, keeping them on the PUP list provides more roster flexibility for other positions. However, if they activate them now and the recovery stalls, they lose that flexibility without gaining the players on the field.
For Kerby Joseph, the stakes are more than just a four-game window. Because his injury involves cartilage damage rather than a clean tear, the recovery is a slow process of regaining fitness. Campbell’s insistence that Joseph will not play until he’s ready
suggests the team is prioritizing long-term viability over short-term needs.
“We were strengthening the knee, and it wasn’t a setback, but there was a little time there where we weren’t able to do everything we needed to do. And so now we’re back at it. And until we can get the knee to a certain point to where it feels strong… we’re not going to put him out there until he’s ready.”
Dan Campbell, Lions Head Coach
As the regular season progresses, the Lions’ ability to stabilize their secondary will depend on whether Branch’s predictable timeline holds and if Joseph can ever reach the point of feeling comfortable
enough to return to professional play.