Kerby

Joseph

Joseph was named a first-team All-Pro in 2024, but played only six games last year with what’s turned into a debilitating knee injury. Campbell noted at Thursday’s press conference that Joseph continues to build strength in his knee and receive treatment, but the team isn’t going to push him until they absolutely have to. Detroit acquired veteran safeties Chuck Clark and Christian Izien this offseason while retaining Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper to give themselves options with Joseph and Brain Branch (Achilles) on the mend.

Both of the Lions’ starting safeties, Joseph and Brian Branch (Achilles), are rehabbing significant injuries. While it would be great to get one or both of them back on the field this spring, Campbell does not want to hurry his injured stars back and risk re-injury. Late in April, Lions general manager Brad Holmes said both safeties are “trending in the right direction.” However, last we heard, Branch was not expected to be ready to play in Week 1. Joseph will likely sit out spring practices, but seemingly has a chance to participate in training camp. Stay tuned.

Branch suffered a torn Achilles in Week 14 of last season. It was reported by The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy back in March that Branch isn’t expected to be ready by Week 1 of this upcoming season, but it’s an encouraging sign that Holmes likes how the star safety is trending. Regarding Joseph, the fifth-year safety appeared in just six games last season due to a knee injury and suffered setbacks in his recovery, resulting in a prolonged absence. Holmes said the team’s decision not to draft a safety ultimately had more to do with their board than the health of either safety, but he seems optimistic about their long-term availability for this upcoming season.

Joseph will, unfortunately, miss yet another game. Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters last week that the talented safety suffered a setback at some point. Landing on injured reserve was said to be a possibility, though, the team did not place him on it last week. He totaled one pass breakup and three interceptions in just six games played this season. Lions CB Amik Robertson (hand) and S Thomas Harper (concussion) are questionable to play.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said earlier today that Joseph “had a setback.” He also admitted that an injured reserve stint is possible for Joseph, though that would knock him out for the remainder of the regular season at this point. Joseph is managing a long-term knee injury and may not be able to make it back this season.

St. Brown was unable to practice this week after injuring his ankle last Thursday against the Packers. While he possesses some re-injury risk, he was moving very well during warmups and should be started against the Cowboys this evening. The Lions declared S Kerby Joseph, WR Kalif Raymond, OG Kayode Awosika, TE Hayden Rucci, DL Mekhi Wingo and DL Tyler Lacy inactive for Week 14 against the Cowboys. Lions RT Penei Sewell (shoulder), LT Taylor Decker (shoulder/rest) and C Graham Glasgow (knee) are active.

It’s a downgrade after a limited Monday session. FOX’s Jordan Schultz reports that Joseph “will likely seek treatment for the knee in the offseason, but he plans to be on the field in the coming weeks.” That doesn’t necessarily sound like a report about a player who will play on Thursday. The injury is “not considered career-altering” per multiple sources.

Given that he hasn’t played since October 12, it’s a big step. He apparently practiced with a bulky brace, so it’s possible that the Lions decide it isn’t worth the risk with just a few days ahead of Thursday’s game. But they also need every win they can get and this will be an enormous game for wild card implications against the Cowboys.

Joseph hasn’t played since October 12. We appreciate how good Joseph is and understand that the Lions would rather have him out there if at all possible, but there’s literally an injured reserve for this sort of thing. Brian Branch (toe/ankle) got in a full session today to upgrade over a Monday limited, and Terrion Arnold (concussion) remained limited and may be trying to clear protocol tomorrow to make the active line.

Good thing, too, because the entire rest of the Lions defense found their way on to this report. Terrion Arnold (concussion), Kerby Joseph (knee) and Josh Paschal (back) were all ruled out. D.J. Reed (hamstring) and Amik Robertson (hamstring) are questionable. Both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith should see slight matchup uggrades given the CB injuries.