Lions Open Training Camp Without Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch as Star Safety Duo Continues Rehab
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions opened training camp Wednesday without two of the most important pieces of their secondary on the practice field.
Safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch have both been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list as they continue recovering from injuries that carried over from last season.
For a Lions defense hoping to make a significant jump in 2026, the health of its starting safety tandem will be one of the biggest storylines to follow throughout training camp.
Branch progressing from Achilles injury
Branch continues his recovery from the Achilles injury he suffered late last season, but head coach Dan Campbell offered an encouraging update as camp began.
Campbell said Branch is progressing well enough that Detroit believes he could potentially return around the end of training camp or early September. That timeline would at least give Branch an opportunity to be available near the beginning of the regular season.
Because Branch is currently on the active/PUP list, Detroit can activate him during training camp once he is medically cleared.
That’s considerably different from a player who remains on PUP when the regular-season roster is finalized, which would trigger a mandatory absence to begin the season.
More uncertainty surrounding Joseph
Joseph’s situation appears to be the bigger concern.
The All-Pro safety continues recovering from the knee injury that significantly impacted his 2025 season. Campbell said Joseph has progressed to light running and some change-of-direction work, but indicated there is uncertainty about whether he’ll be ready for Detroit’s regular-season opener.
Joseph’s knee problems date back to last season. He played through the issue early before eventually missing significant time and finishing the year on injured reserve.
That makes Detroit’s approach this summer especially important. There is little reason for the Lions to rush one of their most valuable defensive players back onto the field in July or August if doing so jeopardizes his availability later in the season.
Detroit needs its safety tandem back
Few safety combinations around the NFL have the potential impact of Joseph and Branch when both are healthy.
Joseph established himself among the league’s premier ball-hawking safeties after leading the NFL in interceptions during his 2024 All-Pro season. Branch, meanwhile, has developed into one of Detroit’s most versatile defenders, capable of playing safety, nickel and around the line of scrimmage.
Detroit entered training camp already identifying the return of Joseph and Branch as one of the team’s major defensive questions.
Their absence will also create additional opportunities for the Lions’ other defensive backs throughout camp.
But ultimately, those players are competing for depth.
A healthy Joseph and Branch remain the combination Detroit wants patrolling the back end of its defense when the games begin to count.
Week 1 becomes the date to watch
There is still plenty of time before the regular season, and neither player’s placement on PUP means he will necessarily miss games.
Branch’s recovery appears to be trending in an encouraging direction.
Joseph’s timeline is less certain.
That makes the next several weeks particularly important for Detroit. If both safeties progress enough to return before the regular season, the Lions could have their star tandem back together when they need it most.
If not, Detroit may be forced to begin 2026 without one — or potentially both — of the anchors of its secondary.
MCSN will continue following Joseph and Branch throughout Lions training camp.