The Detroit Lions kick off the 2026 season on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Hoping to bounce back from a disappointing campaign, the Lions hope to start things off on the right foot. In their last practice on Tuesday, the Lions had all of their 53-man roster and practice squad members healthy and available. This is a good sign ahead of the season opener.
Of course, the Lions have several key contributors on the injured reserve or PUP list. They will be without Cade Mays, Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Isiah Pacheco, Payton Turner, Damone Clark, and Kendrick Law for at least the first four games of the season.
These players all have different return timelines, but Joseph arguably has the most uncertainty surrounding his return. Fortunately, Dan Campbell provided a positive update on the veteran safety on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters, Campbell said that Joseph is back with the team, doing well, and "ramping up," per Lions insider Jeremy Reisman.
All eyes will be on the Lions' new safety duo in the absence of Joseph and Branch
That is obviously a vague statement. "Ramping up" could mean a number of things, especially when it comes to a player who has been dealing with a chronic knee injury.
But the fact that Joseph is back in the building and doing well is excellent news after being away from the team for several weeks due to a personal matter. We still don't know the details about his absence, but it's definitely a positive sign that he is back before the season.
Joseph is hoping to have a bounce-back campaign after an injury-plagued 2025 season. Following his All-Pro season in 2024, when he was the league's premier ballhawk, Joseph landed the most lucrative safety contract in NFL history. But the nagging knee injuries prevented him from replicating the prior year's success.
The 25-year-old defender hasn't practiced with the team so far. Instead, he is attending team meetings while he continues his rehab.
Detroit would love to have Joseph back on the field after they return from their Week 6 bye. The October 25 matchup against the Packers in Week 7 seems like a realistic target date for Joseph, but the Lions have to see how he responds to the ramp-up and practices.
In the meantime, all eyes will be on the Lions' new safety duo: Chuck Clark and Avonte Maddox. In the absence of Joseph and Branch, the two veteran defensive backs will try to hold down the fort. How well they play will likely affect how much the Lions will want to rush Joseph's return.
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