When it rains, it pours for the Detroit Lions. Dan Campbell's team is fresh off a humiliating road loss to the Buffalo Bills, and that setback may have exposed the real gap between them and other Super Bowl contenders.
Their defense has been a major liability over the first two weeks, especially the secondary. That's why it's so unfortunate to know that there's still no word on when or even if Kerby Joseph will be able to suit up this season — or ever again.
Joseph has been dealing with a chronic knee injury that has cost him most of the 2025 season and the start of the 2026 campaign. And judging by Coach Campbell's words on the issue, it doesn't sound like he's anywhere close to returning.
The Lions desperately need Kerby Joseph back on the field
"I wish I could make you feel good," Campbell said (h/t Jeremy Reisman). "I can't make you feel good. It's going to come as it comes, and he's not ready. We're trying to get him there as fast as we can, and we're trying to be as smart about it as we can. If he's ready, when he's ready, of course we want to play him and get him on the field."
If the blowout loss to the Bills wasn't bad enough, they added insult to injury — literally — by losing Avonte Maddox. They added Jalen Mills to the practice squad, but that unit was already struggling without Joseph and Brian Branch.
The Lions gave Joseph a massive four-year, $86 million contract extension before the 2025 season. He was coming off a career-best campaign, even leading the league with nine interceptions and establishing himself as an All-Pro-caliber guy.
He had 17 picks in his first three years in the league, sitting behind only legends like Ed Reed (20), Erik McMillan (19), and Dwight Hicks (18) as the only safeties with more interceptions through their first three seasons.
He looked poised for another massive year, picking off three passes in his first six games of the 2025 season before disaster struck. Joseph's knee started acting up in Week 6, and he hasn't been able to get back on the field since.
Moreover, the lack of updates only makes this situation all the more concerning, as it just seems like not even the team knows what's going on or whether he'll ever be able to return. That's a huge problem for the defense and for the finances.
Joseph's contract is rather team-friendly at first, but his cap hit skyrockets from $13.0 million in 2028 all the way to $17.9 million the following season. Also, the team has $39.1 million in void years over four years starting in 2030, according to OverTheCap.
With Brian Branch also out and some legitimate concerns about their cornerback room, general manager Brad Holmes will have to get in his bag to find some help for this team. Otherwise, it will be another long season in Michigan, and Kelvin Sheppard might not even finish the season with the team.
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