The Detroit Lions are heading into a short week with a big test on deck - a Thanksgiving showdown against the Dallas Cowboys - and head coach Dan Campbell met with the media Sunday to provide key updates on a banged-up roster. As expected, health is front and center for a team trying to stay sharp in the thick of the playoff race.
Kerby Joseph inching closer to return, but long-term questions remain
Let’s start with safety Kerby Joseph, who hasn’t seen the field since Week 6 against the Chiefs. Campbell shed some light on what’s been keeping the third-year defensive back sidelined, describing it as a bone bruise with some added “wear and tear” around the knee. It’s the kind of injury that doesn’t always have a clean timeline - more about managing pain and building stability than waiting for a specific healing milestone.
Campbell didn’t rule out the possibility that this could be something Joseph has to manage beyond this season.
“I don’t know. It’s hard to say,” Campbell said. “I don’t think it’s necessarily going away, but I think you do the best you can to manage it.”
The silver lining? Joseph is making progress.
He’s expected to get back on the field this week in a limited capacity, doing individual drills. That’s not nothing - especially for a player who’s been out this long.
“He’s doing a little bit more,” Campbell noted. “He’ll be running around doing some individual stuff.”
When asked if Joseph could suit up against the Cowboys, Campbell didn’t commit either way but left the door open.
“He’s closer than he was before. He’s close,” he said.
“We’ll know a lot more really tomorrow. Today’s a walkthrough, so tomorrow - Friday - we’ll see where he’s at.
But he is getting better. He gets better every week.”
Graham Glasgow trending in the right direction
Veteran offensive lineman Graham Glasgow missed his first game of the season last week with a knee issue, and while Campbell didn’t go deep into the details, he confirmed that Glasgow is on the mend.
“Graham is doing better,” Campbell said.
That’s about all we got on that front, but it’s worth noting that Trystan Colon filled in admirably against the Packers. If Glasgow can’t go Thursday, Detroit at least knows it has a capable backup ready to step in.
Brock Wright’s trachea injury could be serious
The most concerning update came at tight end, where Brock Wright is dealing with what Campbell called a trachea injury - a rare and potentially serious issue. While Wright is reportedly eager to play, the team is still waiting on scans and second opinions to determine just how significant the injury is.
“We’re still sending out scans for this trachea, and just seeing if there are any other second opinions that would change the outlook for him playing,” Campbell said. “Right now, there’s really nothing that would change that.
So, I know that frustrates him. He wants to play, but we’re just kinda in a holding pattern right now.”
With Sam LaPorta already out for the season, the Lions are thin at tight end. Against Green Bay, they leaned on Ross Dwelley, Anthony Firkser, and Zach Horton to fill the void. On Sunday, the team added another body to the mix, signing free agent Giovanni Ricci to the practice squad.
Final thoughts
The Lions are walking a tightrope right now - balancing a push for playoff positioning with the reality of a bruised-up roster. Joseph’s potential return would be a boost to the secondary, and Glasgow’s availability could help stabilize the offensive front. But the tight end room remains a major concern, especially with Wright’s status up in the air and LaPorta already sidelined.
With the Cowboys looming and the NFC picture tightening, every piece matters. Thursday’s game won’t just be a holiday spectacle - it’ll be a measuring stick for where this team stands heading into the final month of the regular season.