Kerby Joseph was riding high just a few months ago. A breakout star in Detroit’s secondary, Joseph had earned first-team All-Pro honors and led the league in interceptions.
In April, the Lions rewarded him with a four-year contract extension that made him the highest-paid safety in the NFL. It was a well-deserved payday for a player who had quickly become one of the league’s premier ballhawks.
But fast forward to December, and the tone around Joseph’s future has shifted dramatically.
On Monday, Joseph returned to the practice field for the first time in nearly two months. It was a limited session, and his demeanor matched the uncertainty surrounding his status-quiet, reserved, and clearly still working through the knee injury that’s kept him sidelined since Week 6.
“My knee messed up,” Joseph said bluntly when speaking with reporters in Allen Park. He wore a balaclava that covered most of his face, and his answers were short-14 questions, none answered with more than a sentence.
When asked how he plans to fix the injury, Joseph replied, “You don’t fix it. You just keep the faith.”
That faith is going to be tested. Joseph’s knee has been a concern since training camp, and the bone bruise he suffered in Week 4 against the Browns only compounded the issue. According to head coach Dan Campbell, it’s not just the bruise-it’s wear and tear that could linger for years.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily going away,” Campbell said. “You do the best you can to manage it.
It’s like a lot of these guys that have gotten some injuries-cartilage, meniscus, things like that. There’ll always be a little wear and tear, and it’s just how bad is it?”
That’s the big question now. How bad is it? And how much of the player the Lions paid for in April will they get moving forward?
Joseph, 25, didn’t offer much clarity on that front. He said surgery wouldn’t fix the problem and brushed off concerns about it becoming a chronic issue.
“Can’t be worried,” he said. “I trust in God’s plan.”
What’s not in question is Joseph’s impact when he’s on the field. He’s been a difference-maker since the Lions drafted him in the third round out of Illinois in 2022. He led the team with four interceptions in each of his first two seasons and exploded for nine picks last year-numbers that put him in elite company among NFL safeties.
Even this year, despite missing the last six games, Joseph still leads the Lions in interceptions with three-thanks to a fast start during the team’s 4-1 run to open the season. His instincts, range, and ball skills have made him a cornerstone of Aaron Glenn’s defense.
And while the physical questions loom large, those inside the building are trying to stay optimistic. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said Monday that Joseph’s spirits were high and that the safety is eager to get back to action.
“Kerby’s doing great,” Sheppard said. “He’s ready to get back.
He was as upbeat as I’ve ever seen him last week, knowing that he’s scratching and clawing. Hopefully, there’s a chance we get him back pretty soon.
But Kerby’s good, man.”
Still, Joseph’s recent social media activity has raised some eyebrows. He deleted his account on X and wiped photos from his Instagram.
Early Monday morning, he posted a black screen with the message, “God help me,” in an Instagram story. When asked about it, he said he was locking in-on life.
That’s the kind of answer that speaks volumes without saying much at all. Joseph is clearly dealing with more than just a physical recovery. The mental grind of injury rehab, the uncertainty of a long-term knee issue, and the pressure of living up to a massive new contract-all of it is on his plate.
But if there’s one thing Joseph has shown throughout his young career, it’s resilience. He’s bounced back before. And if he can manage the knee and return to form, he’ll still be one of the most dangerous safeties in the game.
For now, the Lions-and Joseph himself-are hoping that faith, treatment, and time will be enough to get him back on the field. Because when he’s out there, he changes the game.