Lions Kerby Joseph Health Update, Is Away Dealing With 'Personal Issue'

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell provided an update on All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph ahead of Tuesday’s training camp practice.

Joseph has been sidelined due to a nagging knee injury that held him out of the final 11 games of the 2025 season. He has yet to participate in practice in training camp, but has been observed putting in work with trainers on the side at points throughout camp.

On Tuesday, Campbell said that Joseph is dealing with a personal matter, and noted that he remains on roughly the same trajectory to return to action as fellow safety Brian Branch. Branch is currently out while rehabbing a torn Achilles suffered in December.

“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.”

At the start of training camp, Campbell stated that getting Joseph back for the regular season opener against the New Orleans Saints would be a "bonus."

Joseph was coming off an All-Pro season after leading the NFL in interceptions in 2024. He signed a four-year contract extension prior to last year, but began dealing with swelling in his knee during training camp.

He initially tried to play through the injury through the start of the regular season, and recorded three interceptions in his first five games. However, the pain became too much in Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs, and that would be the final game he played in last season.

The specific details of Joseph’s injury remain relatively uncertain, with speculation being that it could be a chronic injury dealing with cartilage in his knee.

When healthy, Joseph and Branch have formed one of the NFL's top safety duos. Joseph has earned a reputation as a ballhawk, with 20 career interceptions in his first four seasons. He spoke to the media earlier in training camp, and stated that he's confident he'll be able to contribute at some point in 2026.

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