The Detroit Lions are preparing to open training camp ahead of the 2026 NFL season, but the start of practices will come with some notable absences on the physically unable to perform list.
Among those sidelined is safety Kerby Joseph, a key piece of the secondary whose status carries significant implications for the team’s defensive plans.
Joseph missed 11 games last season while dealing with a chronic knee issue, and the lingering effects of that injury have now placed him among three players the Lions have designated as unable to participate at the outset of camp. He was named a First-Team All-Pro in 2024.
Unless the team removes him from the list before roster cuts in late August, he will be required to miss at least the first four games of the regular season before becoming eligible to return.
The development stands in contrast to the optimism Joseph himself expressed in recent days. Responding to online analysis of his recovery, the safety posted a confident message on social media suggesting he expected to avoid any injury designation when camp began.
That confidence has now been tempered by the official team announcement.
Head coach Dan Campbell has previously emphasized a measured approach to Joseph’s situation. Speaking earlier in the spring, Campbell explained that the organization was determined to avoid rushing the process, noting that once the knee was fully tested there would be a clearer sense of what the future held. The decision to place Joseph on the PUP list appears consistent with that cautious philosophy.
Also joining Joseph on the list are safety Brian Branch and tight end Tyler Conklin. Their absence means the Lions will begin camp without several contributors who would otherwise be expected to compete for significant roles.
Medical observers have suggested that Joseph’s knee will eventually require a decisive test under football conditions, whether early or later in camp. An extra period of rest at this stage is unlikely to alter the fundamental question of how the joint responds to the demands of the sport.
Even a positive early response would likely still involve careful load management throughout the summer, given the history of the injury and the amount of time that has already passed since Joseph last saw game action.
For a Lions defense that has leaned heavily on its secondary in recent seasons, the early absence of Joseph and Branch creates an immediate challenge as the team evaluates its depth and prepares for the regular season.
The coming weeks of camp will reveal more about the timeline for both players and about the club’s willingness to continue prioritizing long-term health over short-term availability.
