Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph is still working his way back, and head coach Dan Campbell says there’s another issue keeping him away from the field right now.
Ahead of Tuesday’s training camp practice, Campbell said Joseph is dealing with a personal matter while continuing his rehab from the knee injury that cut short his 2025 season. Joseph has not taken part in camp practices, though he has been seen working off to the side with trainers at various points.
“Kerby right now, first of all, he’s dealing with a personal issue right now. But his rehab is coming along very well,” Campbell said.
“That is still, I still see him on the Branch plan if that makes sense. And Branch is doing well too.
Those guys, we’re talking about on down the road, the season’s already begun. But I like where Kerby’s at.”
Campbell had already said at the start of camp that getting Joseph back for the regular-season opener against the New Orleans Saints would be a "bonus."
Joseph’s knee troubles date back to last year’s camp, when swelling began to surface after he signed a four-year contract extension. He tried to play through it early in the season and still managed three interceptions in his first five games after leading the NFL with 2024 interceptions in an All-Pro year. But the pain got to the point where he shut it down after Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs, which ended up being his final game of the season.
The exact nature of the injury has not been fully clarified, though there has been speculation that it could be a chronic issue involving cartilage in the knee.
Joseph and Brian Branch have given Detroit one of the league’s best safety pairings when both are available. Branch is currently sidelined while recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in December, and Campbell said Joseph remains on a similar return timeline.
Joseph has already built a reputation as a ballhawk, with 20 career interceptions through his first four seasons. Earlier in camp, he told reporters he believes he’ll be able to help at some point in 2026.
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