Lions coach expects Kerby Joseph to play this season but gives no return date
Dan Campbell says the Detroit safety is progressing after a prolonged absence with a knee cartilage issue, though Joseph has yet to practice this season.
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said on October 20 that he expects safety Kerby Joseph to play during the 2026 season, giving the team a more definite outlook for a key member of its secondary after a year away with a knee problem. Campbell gave no date for Joseph's return, and the safety has yet to practice this season.
Asked directly whether he expects Joseph to play this year, Campbell answered, ‘I do,’ according to AtoZ Sports. The Detroit Free Press also reported that Campbell expects Joseph back in the lineup at some point this season. His answer was an expectation about this year, rather than a schedule for when Joseph could resume practice or play in a game.
Why Kerby Joseph has been out
Joseph has not played since Detroit's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on October 12, 2025, because of a cartilage issue in his knee, the Free Press reported. He opened the current season on the physically unable to perform list. His absence has therefore extended beyond the start of another season, with no practice return yet reported.
Joseph said in late July that he was optimistic about returning early in the season, according to the Free Press. He then missed a substantial part of training camp for personal reasons, which set back his rehabilitation, the newspaper reported. That earlier hope has not translated into an appearance through Detroit's first five games.
Campbell's outlook for the Lions' safeties
Campbell said he was pleased with Joseph's progress and described him as doing well. ‘He's in a good headspace right now,’ the Free Press quoted him as saying. Campbell said Joseph wants to return and is working toward it, but that the team is taking his progress ‘one day at a time.’
Detroit is 3-2 after its bye week, and another safety could return sooner. Campbell expects Brian Branch to play against the Green Bay Packers on October 25, the Free Press reported, though Branch may have a limited snap count. Branch had returned to practice before the bye but had not yet been added to the 53-man roster at the time of the report.
Chuck Clark has started every game at safety for Detroit this season. Rookie Keith Abney played extensively at free safety in the Week 5 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Campbell said those two could share time at the second safety spot opposite Branch, whose versatility would give the team options while Joseph remains out.
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Sources and context
- Detroit Lions expect to have Kerby Joseph at some point this seasonDetroit Free Press, by Dave Birkett; republished by Yahoo Sports
- Dan Campbell gives his clearest answer yet on Kerby Joseph's 2026 status, and it raises one big question for the LionsAtoZ Sports, by Mike Payton
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.