Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell had a full injury rundown ready before the team got to work Friday afternoon, and the list included a mix of caution, optimism and one key defender clearing the final steps back into the rotation.
Start with Kerby Joseph, who has been limited in practice and still hasn’t taken part in team periods. He was seen Thursday wearing a compression sleeve on his injured left knee.
Campbell said players often wear sleeves to help with swelling, and at this point there doesn’t appear to be concern about Joseph’s knee. The plan, according to Campbell, is to ramp him up next week and get him into much more practice work.
Isiah Pacheco’s path is longer, but Campbell left the door open for a December return. The running back is coming back from a back injury that required surgery, and he also dealt with a knee injury during training camp.
Campbell said, “He's progressing well. I do think there's a chance we could get him back in late December,” said Campbell.
“He's put a tremendous amount of work in. He's doing pretty good.”
Thomas Harper, meanwhile, remains on injured reserve after hurting his ankle against the Buffalo Bills. Campbell sounded encouraged there too, saying the defender has rehabbed well and is moving in the right direction, with a return possible at some point in the coming weeks.
The clearest sign of a piece falling back into place came with Brian Branch. In his first action back from an Achilles injury, the safety was on a sort of pitch count in his 2026 season debut, but he ended up seeing much more work in the second half against the Packers. Campbell said that won’t be the case going forward, and that Kelvin Sheppard now has the freedom to use Branch however he wants.
Sheppard was especially struck by what Branch meant to the rest of the defense in the Week 7 home win. “I think the effect he had on his teammates.
One of my favorite things from that game, I don't know if you guys caught this, go back and watch it. It's super cool.
On his interception, he's still backpedaling. And right when he opens his hip, the ball's launched.
And Chuck Clark, before BB opens his hip, raises his hand," said Sheppard. "And this is what I mean when I say affecting the teammates.
He raises his hand. When he sees BB open his hip, he puts both hands in the air.
I mean, I've never seen that. I'm like, 'Chuck, you run to the ball.'
Nope, the play's over.
"And just what that does for teammates, what that did, the swagger it brings, knowing you have an enforcer who can go cover the number one receiver. BB's a rare player in this league. We're all happy to have him back.”
In Other News...
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Lions Suddenly Have A Tougher Cornerback Decision Than Expected
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DJ Reeds struggles in coverage have only sharpened the question of how Detroit should line up its corners as the season moves deeper into November. With the trade deadline approaching, the Lions are still weighing whether they need outside help at the position, and the answer could say a lot about how confident they are in the group they have now. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Secondary Suddenly Has A New Concern Before Vikings Game
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Kerby Joseph remains out with a knee injury as he works through the first week of his 21-day return-to-play window after getting back to practice Wednesday. Beyond those two, the Lions are in good shape physically, but any new defensive issue before a division game is worth watching closely, especially with Minnesota on deck and every matchup carrying added weight this time of year. [Read more 🡒]