The Lions’ secondary will open training camp with two of its biggest names on the sideline.
Detroit announced Sunday that safety Brian Branch, safety Kerby Joseph and tight end Tyler Conklin have all been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Veterans are scheduled to report to the facility on Tuesday, which marks the start of camp for the 2026 NFL season.
Branch’s placement was expected after he tore his Achilles late last season and spent the offseason working his way back. Joseph’s move, though, runs counter to what he signaled on social media Saturday, when he posted that he would be ready for camp.
That turned out not to be the case. Joseph had been dealing with a knee injury that kept him out for the final 11 games of the regular season.
Conklin is also headed to PUP after dealing with an undisclosed injury suffered during offseason workouts.
There is still no clear timeline for Branch’s return. An Achilles recovery often stretches deep into the season, and during offseason workouts head coach Dan Campbell joked that Branch would be back by December.
With Branch and Joseph unavailable to start camp, Detroit can take a look at other options in the defensive backfield. Chuck Clark and Christian Izien, both signed in free agency this offseason, worked with the first-team defense throughout offseason workouts and are among the candidates to step in. The roster also includes Avonte Maddox, Thomas Harper, Dan Jackson and Loren Strickland.
Branch remains one of the most important pieces in Detroit’s defense because of how much he can do. As a rookie in 2023, he was the team’s primary nickel cornerback before shifting to safety full-time in 2024 and turning in a strong second season.
Over three years, Branch has piled up seven interceptions, 258 combined tackles and 4.5 sacks. Joseph has been just as impactful on the takeaway front, leading the league with nine interceptions in 2024 and collecting 20 over his four-year career.
The Lions’ preseason opener comes Aug. 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
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