Detroit Lions open Kerby Joseph’s practice window as safety works back from knee injury

The Detroit Lions opened safety Kerby Joseph’s 21-day practice window on Wednesday, October 28, allowing him to return to practice after a knee problem kept him out of games this season. Coach Dan Campbell said Joseph would practice Wednesday, The Detroit News reported. The move gives Detroit a chance to work him back into football activity and assess his progress, but Campbell has not set a date for his return to a game.

What Joseph’s 21-day practice window means

Joseph is on the physically unable to perform list, according to NBC Sports. Opening his practice window lets him train with the team while it evaluates his recovery. NBC Sports reported that he returned to practice Wednesday. The designation marks a step toward possible game action; it does not, by itself, establish that he is ready to play.

Campbell’s assessment of Joseph’s knee

Campbell said Joseph had passed the physical tests put to him so far and that the strength in his knee, thigh and quadriceps was good, Heavy reported. ‘We’ve still got a ways to go, but it’s a step in the right direction,’ he said. Campbell had previously declined to give a timetable for Joseph’s return to play, leaving his availability for a game undecided as practice resumes.

Joseph has been working back from a knee cartilage issue that NBC Sports said affected him last year. Detroit Lions On SI reported that he injured his left knee against the Kansas City Chiefs a little over a year ago. His absence has lasted through the 2026 season so far, making the return to practice a change in his day-to-day involvement with the team. Earlier, Campbell had said he expected Joseph to play this season without giving a return date, as covered in NewsJaws’ report on Campbell’s expectations for Joseph. Wednesday’s decision moves Joseph into practice; his first game back has yet to be scheduled.