On Monday, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell noted that safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph will remain sidelined on the Physically Unable to Perform list, despite them being eligible to return to practice this week. He noted that Branch is closer to returning than Joseph, and then gave some additional details on Joseph’s recovery from a knee injury that has now lingered for over a full year.
“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,” Campbell said. “And until we can get the knee to a certain point to where it feels strong, as strong as we can possibly get it and he feels comfortable. We’re not going to put him out there until he’s ready.”
Lions fans have been understandably skeptical about Joseph’s football future. The team has said there is no surgery or procedure that fixes this issue. It’s something Joseph will just have to manage. At times, it seems like the former All-Pro safety was nearing a return, only for Campbell to provide a dubious update.
So some have started to question whether Joseph will ever play another down of football in his life.
On Tuesday, 97.1 The Ticket radio host Jim Costa asked Campbell what he would say to Lions fans who think Joseph will never play again. Campbell’s response was not reassuring.
“Well, I wish I could make you feel good. I can’t make you feel good,” Campbell said. “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. And if he’s ready, when he’s ready, of course we want to play him and get him on the field.”
Costa followed it up with another question, and Campbell gave a puzzling response that did not sound particularly good:
Costa: “What would have to change? Because we’re coming up on a year since that Chiefs game. If he’s unable to practice what would change for him to get out there?”
Campbell: “I guess, nothing.“
At this point, it certainly seems like the Lions are operating under the assumption they are going to get very little—if anything—out of Joseph this season. And you have to wonder what that means for the rest of his football career with a $16.6 million option bonus due in March of 2027.
