When fully healthy, the Detroit Lions boast one of the NFL’s premier safety duos in Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. Currently, however, both players remain sidelined as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
Head coach Dan Campbell provided updates on both players’ recoveries this week, noting that Joseph continues to make progress from last year’s knee injury while Branch advances in his comeback from a torn Achilles tendon sustained in 2023.
“If we got him back for the first game, that would be a bonus,” Campbell said regarding Joseph’s potential availability. “I’m not expecting that. I feel like he’s more on the Branch plan, a little bit, and that’s if everything goes well and we get everything on our side. But he’s doing well.”
While Campbell indicated that Branch might participate at some level during training camp, the timeline remains cautiously optimistic. “Branch is doing well,” Campbell noted. “I’m sure late training camp, maybe early September he can start practicing, we’ll see. But he’s doing well.”
The Lions’ defense has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons, and while the organization remains hopeful for improved health this year, a Week One return for either safety appears unlikely.
