Kerby Joseph is back on the practice field, folks, and after an agonizing year-plus away, he’s letting everyone know he hasn’t lost a single step, declaring, “I’m still him.” The Detroit Lions safety made his first practice appearance this week, a huge step after a knee injury sidelined him for most of the 2025 season. It’s been a long road, but Joseph’s message is crystal clear: don’t count him out.
The Long Road Back to the Gridiron
It’s got to be a wild feeling, coming back after so much time. Joseph himself called his return “Nostalgic, man. Nostalgic, brah. Just being back out feels nostalgic, man.” He missed most of the 2025 season, and this week marked over a year since his last game appearance. You know it’s been a grind. While he kept the specifics of his treatments and recovery steps under wraps, directing reporters to his YouTube page for the full story, he was open about the emotional rollercoaster. Joseph stressed the importance of focus and prayer, saying, “I know how to keep my head in focus, man. I just have to get on my knees and pray. You know what I’m saying? There’s going to be ups and downs in this league. I’m known that from rookie year. (It’s been) a roller coaster, especially with this knee. Man, I’m praying more for the ups than downs. If I go down, I know the only way is up.” He even works in silence sometimes, as confirmed by Detroit News reporter Nolan Bianchi who noted Joseph joined practice after the media viewing window closed.
“I’m Still Him” and the Plan for Return
That fierce determination is what we love to see. Joseph might not have given a timeline for his return, noting he’s “Zuper eager” and will hit the field when “God wants him to be on the field,” but he definitely gave a warning. “I haven’t practiced in a long time, so this week felt pretty good being out there. I’m still him. I hope y’all ain’t forget. I’m still him.” That’s the fire right there! Coach Dan Campbell offered a more concrete plan, outlining a slow progression. Campbell stated, “We just kind of progress him slowly here, work him in. We get him a little bit more today of that type of work. Plus, we surplus after the fact. We still do some rehabilitation, get him some of those miles that he’s not getting right now that he normally gets, the running, the volume. And then next week we’ll have him in real practice. So, he’ll sort of do the indi(viduals) and all that. That’ll be the plan.”
With Joseph’s 21-day window officially open, the team can activate him to the 53-man roster at any point. We know it’s not happening this week against the Vikings, but Detroit will have to make a final call on his status by November 18, just before their Week 11 game against the Buccaneers. Get ready for what’s next, because Kerby Joseph clearly believes the best is yet to come.
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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