On Wednesday, Dan Campbell shared the announcement that so many Detroit Lions fans have been waiting on: former first-team All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph was returning to practice and opening his 21-day activation window.
It's been a long road back for Joseph, who has been battling a cartilage issue in his knee. The 6-foot, 210-pound safety last played on Oct. 12, 2025, during last season against the Kansas City Chiefs. But, when he's healthy, few, if any defensive backs are more dynamic or bigger game-changers than the former 2022 third-round pick out of Illinois.
Joseph has been known to have some fun on social media over the years. As the news broke and as Joseph made his return to the practice field, Joseph took to X to remind folks that it's
unwise to doubt him or his work ethic.
Don’t ever doubt me again in your mutha 🤬 life dis my last tweet tho for a while lol I love GOD I love my FAMILY I love my fans and I love THIS GAME CBFW2026-FOREVER …. ZUPE ENERGY OTW🔋🔋⛈️⛈️⛈️🌪️🌪️🌪️🌪️⚡️⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/TKSFSjO2LD
— ZEANU REAVES🥷🏿 (@ZUPE31) October 28, 2026
Prior to Wednesday's social media post, Joseph has been leaving bread crumbs that a return could be close.
Joseph posted a GIF of Dragon Ball Z character Goku, and then followed it up with a graphic of himself inside one of DBZ's medical machines.
Reading between the lines, Dragon Ball Z fans were putting two and two together that Joseph was hinting at a return to practice, and at a return to play. Sure enough, Joseph's practice window opened on Wednesday.
As Campbell said on Wednesday, it's a big step in the right direction.
"He's passed every test to this point. This is the next thing is to get him running around now, so the strength in the knee is good, and the thigh, the quad, all of that. So, it'll be great to get him back out there with the guys. I know he's excited. We are, but we've still got a ways to go. This is a step in the right direction," Campbell said.
Should Joseph prove in practice that his knee, leg, and body are ready to withstand live football reps, then the Lions will have their star safeties back together at some point over the next 21 days. Brian Branch, a 2024 Pro Bowler, made his return last week in the Lions' 20-17 win over the Packers, intercepting a Jordan Love pass in the fourth quarter.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Kerby Joseph Twitter: Lions star shares message upon practice return
