Kerby Joseph isn’t making the trip to Munich with the Detroit Lions, but that doesn’t mean his return is off the table.
The safety’s 21-day practice window is still the key clock to watch, and Wednesday is the cutoff for Detroit to either activate him or shut him down for the season. For now, the signs point toward a return next week, not an ending. Head coach Dan Campbell said Joseph is still moving in the right direction and hasn’t hit any setbacks, and even after the Lions added Andre Cisco, Joseph still appears lined up to get back into the mix.
That looming decision was the biggest headline around the team this week, especially with Detroit quiet at the trade deadline. But there’s still plenty going on as the Lions head into Week 10 against the Patriots.
Joseph’s absence has been felt all season, and his possible comeback would give Detroit back the kind of safety tandem that used to make life miserable for opposing offenses. It would also ease some of the burden on the corners and linebackers in coverage.
Before his injury, Joseph had already built a reputation as a playmaker, and the numbers back it up: he’s 20th in franchise history in interceptions with 20, even after missing a half season last year and another half season this year. He also led the Lions in 2025 with three interceptions.
The free safety has been especially important as a help defender against tight ends, an area where Detroit has needed more from its linebackers in coverage. If he does return without any hiccups, he should give the defense another layer it has been missing. The expectation is that he’d see some snaps against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though probably not many, with the Lions facing a short week after their Week 11 game and then a Thursday matchup with the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving.
Detroit is also dealing with injuries elsewhere, though the depth chart has held up better than it might have in years past. D.J.
Reed will miss a second straight week in the starting lineup after hurting his hip against the Minnesota Vikings. That’s a notable loss, especially after he had started to find his rhythm again following last season’s hamstring injury.
Even so, the cornerback rotation of Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Roger McCreary, and Khalil Dorsey has been effective. Since the Lions shifted away from the heavy zone looks and blitzing they used earlier in the year, the secondary has looked more in line with defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard’s plan.
Cade Mays will also sit out another week, but Detroit has Juice Scruggs ready to step in for Week 10. Scruggs has been one of the best centers in the NFL this season and has given the Lions strong work in the run game. The tradeoff is that he hasn’t been quite as clean in pass protection, where Mays offered a better fit.
Still, Detroit will gladly take a quality center off the bench when needed.
Christian Mahogany is set to return and start in Week 10 after missing the Lions’ Week 9 win over the Miami Dolphins, and his absence was noticeable. The line looked far less stable with Miles Frazier at left guard, and Jared Goff took the brunt of it, getting sacked three times and intercepted three times in a game where he was constantly off balance.
Ahead of the Munich game, Mahogany said, "I have to grow up, let my teammates down, I let my organization down, and it won’t ever happen again." (h/t Brad Galli).
His return comes at a good time, too, with New England carrying a 52% pass rush win rate, per ESPN.
The Lions’ only deadline move was the Cisco deal, sending a 2029 sixth-round pick to New York. Cisco had been seeing limited action there, largely because of the youth on that defense, but he gives Detroit a solid backup safety option and could also help create more snaps for Keith Abney II at cornerback.
Not everyone thought that was enough. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wrote this about Detroit standing pat at the deadline:
I think that either school of though is fair here. It’s fair to say that the Lions didn’t need to make an all-in move this year with Joseph’s return impending, and with those kinds of moves rarely directly resulting in a Super Bowl win. It’s also fair to say that Detroit values their draft capital far too much as a tool of leverage during the draft, often to trade up for project players rather than sure-things.
Sunday morning against New England will be the first look at Cisco in a Lions uniform.
In Other News...
Dan Campbell Had Lions Fans Cracking Up Before Patriots Clash
Dan Campbell brought a little extra personality to the Lions' week in Munich before the matchup with the Patriots, turning a routine press conference into a reminder of why he remains one of the league's most entertaining coaches. Asked about the trip, Campbell leaned into the setting with a self-aware take on his limited German and even poked fun at his own efforts to pick up a few words along the way.
He also said he planned to try German beer during the visit, which only added to the light tone around a Lions team trying to stay loose while handling the business of an overseas game. Campbell has never been shy about mixing humor with his message, and this stop in Germany gave him another chance to do it in front of a crowd that seemed to enjoy every bit of it. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Head To Germany With Amon-Ra Uncertainty Hanging Over Offense
Amon-Ra St. Browns status has become the biggest offensive question hanging over the Lions as they head to Germany for their latest international stage. The receiver is listed as questionable because of a rib injury, though he did take part in practice on a limited basis and still sounded eager for the chance to play overseas.
Sione Vaki is in a similar spot after being listed as questionable and working in a limited role, while the Lions will be without D.J. Reed, Cade Mays and Kerby Joseph after all three were ruled out and did not travel with the team. For a roster already dealing with uncertainty, the trip adds another layer of intrigue around how Detroit will line up once the game gets underway. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Head To Munich With Key Depth Pieces Suddenly Under Pressure
The trip to Munich comes with a little extra urgency for Detroit, and not just because it is an international stage. With the Lions set to face the Patriots, a few depth pieces suddenly matter a lot more than they did a week ago, starting with cornerback Rakestraw, who is expected to be leaned on in the absence of D.J. Reed. Up front, center Scruggs is in line to start again for Cade Mays, giving the Lions another chance to see how the line holds up with a different look in the middle.
There is also some pressure on the passing game to get more out of wide receiver TeSlaa, who has yet to make much of an impact this season. Detroit needs more from that spot if it wants to keep Jared Goff's passing game moving efficiently, especially against a Patriots defense that will be looking to make the Lions earn every yard. For a team trying to stay sharp on a long road trip, these are the kinds of roles that can quietly shape the outcome. [Read more 🡒]