Pro Football Rumors
Kerby Joseph was limited to six games in 2025. Questions continue to linger regarding the health of his knee, even as the coming season approaches.
Joseph recently said (via The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy) he will not undergo surgery. A procedure will not help the issue which resulted in his absence through most of last season. Joseph was sidelined through OTAs and minicamp, and it remains to be seen if he will be able to suit up for Week 1.
Training camp participation will be worth watching closely in this case. The Lions worked out a four-year, $85MM extension with Joseph last offseason. That deal made him the NFL’s highest-paid safety at the time, and it contains guaranteed salaries over the next two years. Given Detroit’s financial commitment, having Joseph back in the fold would be critical for 2026 and beyond.
Whether or not that will be the case is still unclear, however. When asked about what he expects from Joseph this season given the injury, head coach Dan Campbell worryingly replied, “I don’t know. I honestly do not know.” Given that stance, depth at the safety spot could prove to be a major factor in determining the Lions’ success in 2026.
Joseph and Brian Branch are positioned to continue operating as one of the league’s top safety tandems when on the field. With both facing questions related to injuries, though, Christian Izien and Chuck Clark will be counted on for however long they are sidelined. Strong safety play would go a long way in shoring up the Lions’ secondary considering the questions currently facing the unit at the cornerback position.
During his four years in Detroit, Joseph has racked up 20 interceptions and 38 pass deflections while serving in a full-time role. Expectations were high last season with the 25-year-old coming off a first-team All-Pro campaign. Things did not go according to plan in 2025, and this time around Joseph is far from certain to repeat his previous production.
