Just when it looked like there might be a glimmer of hope for the Detroit secondary, coach Dan Campbell came out swinging on Monday morning and shut it down cold. Despite a new NFL rule that *could* have allowed both Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch to hit the practice field this week, Campbell delivered a resounding “I don’t see it for either one,” keeping both star safeties firmly on the Physically Unable to Perform list through Week 4. It’s a gut punch for the Lions, no doubt.
PUP List Blues and a Week 5 Countdown
This news stings, especially so early in the season. Branch, still recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered late last season, isn’t even eligible to play until the Lions’ Week 5 clash against the Arizona Cardinals. And guess what? Joseph is staring down that exact same timeline. We’re talking about two cornerstone pieces of that defense, stuck watching from the sidelines when they could be making plays. Campbell, ever the straight shooter, wouldn’t even venture a guess on when we might actually see them back in uniform. “It’s tough to say. It really is,” he admitted. He thinks Branch *might* have a shot at returning sooner than Joseph, but let’s be crystal clear: it absolutely will not be this week. That’s a huge blow when you’re trying to build momentum and establish an identity early in the season.
Joseph’s Lingering Nightmare and a Full-Blown Depth Crisis
Now, Joseph’s situation is even more of a head-scratcher. His knee injury has been a lingering nightmare, hanging around for over a full year now, and it’s just been “enigmatic.” The Lions’ medical staff has been trying to build enough strength around that knee just to test it, to see if it can handle the punishment of an NFL season. Campbell was pretty blunt about the struggle, referencing time outside the facility during training camp. He said, “Nothing I’m gonna say is going to make anybody feel better about anything.” Ouch. He did mention that while it wasn’t a “setback,” there was a period where they couldn’t do “everything that we needed to do.” So, they’re back at it, trying to get that knee to a “certain point where it feels strong,” and until Joseph himself feels comfortable, he’s staying off that field. The problem? Detroit is in desperate need of *any* help they can get in that safety room. Starting safety Avonte Maddox just went down with a foot injury on Thursday, and he’s out for the *entire season*. The Lions are reportedly scrambling, working out a whole stable of defensive backs just to patch things up in the interim. It’s a full-blown crisis, and the clock is ticking.
So, what’s next for the Lions? They’re limping toward that Week 5 matchup against the Cardinals, hoping against hope that Branch can be the first one back. But with Joseph’s knee still a massive question mark and Maddox gone for good, every single snap until then is going to be about surviving. Keep your eyes peeled for those workout updates, because right now, the secondary is looking mighty thin in the Motor City.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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