Detroit Lions safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch are still on track to return from injury early in the regular season.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday, Aug. 11, in Allen Park that Joseph is currently away from the team dealing with a personal issue, but his rehab from last year's season-ending knee injury is "coming along very well."
"I still see him on the Branch plan if that makes sense, and Branch is doing well, too," Campbell said. "Those guys we’re talking about on down the road, the season’s already begun. But I like where Kerby’s at."
Joseph, who leads the NFL with 20 interceptions the past four seasons, missed 11 games last season with a chronic knee injury, while Branch is returning from the torn Achilles tendon he suffered last December.
The Lions placed both players on the physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp, and both have worked out sporadically with trainers during training camp practices this summer.
Joseph said July 31 he is "super optimistic" he will return early in the season.
Players can come off PUP anytime during training camp but must miss at least the first four games if they open the regular season on the list.
Chuck Clark, Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper have taken most of the first-team reps at safety this summer in place of Joseph and Branch.
The Lions open the regular season Sept. 13 against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field in Detroit.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dan Campbell: Kerby Joseph knee injury rehab 'coming along very well'
