The long wait may soon be over.
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (knee), out since October 2025, is trending toward being activated to the 53-man roster before his 21-day window closes next week.
While the Lions already ruled Joseph out for Week 10's game in Munich, Germany, against the New England Patriots (5-4), head coach Dan Campbell shared a reason for optimism that he'll be cleared before the deadline.
Campbell told reporters on Thursday that the 2024 first-team All-Pro hasn't suffered any setbacks since being designated to return from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Oct. 28, per Pride of Detroit Lions beat reporter Jeremy Reisman.
On Thursday's injury report, Joseph was a full participant at practice after previously being listed as limited since returning to action.
In his first four NFL seasons, Joseph, a 2022 third-round pick, had 20 interceptions, which are the most by any player over the past five years (2022-26). If he returns, Joseph could be what the Lions need to emerge atop the loaded NFC North.
Promising Kerby Joseph update suggests star safety is on brink of return
Since returning to the practice field from the PUP list, Joseph has turned heads at practice. Last week, assistant head coach Jim O'Neil shared that the four-year veteran "looked a lot better than what I anticipated him looking (like)," per The Detroit News's Nolan Bianchi.
Joseph's knee has been a source of concern dating back two training camps ago, when on July 25, 2025, he suffered what was initially described as "a relatively minor lower-body injury." (h/t Detroit Football Network)
Campbell also downplayed the ailment as "a little bit of knee irritation" amid his training camp absence, although it became a bigger concern following a lackluster (by his standards) start to the 2025 season.
"He's fighting through some stuff, and I give him a lot of credit," O'Neil said ahead of a Week 3 game in Baltimore, per MLive.com. A week later, he re-aggravated his knee in a win over the Cleveland Browns and again on Oct. 12 at the Kansas City Chiefs, ending his season.
Over a year later, Joseph may finally be back on the field soon. After Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts's blood clot scare during another international game earlier this season, it makes sense for the Lions to wait until after the overseas trip to possibly get him back in action. The decision is even more sound considering Detroit has already had its bye in Week 6.
If he receives clearance, Joseph would be returning at the perfect time for a defense that has tied for the sixth-fewest turnovers forced (eight) entering Sunday's action. Over Detroit's final seven games, four are against the NFC North, including two against the Chicago Bears (7-2). Its games with the Minnesota Vikings (6-2) and Green Bay Packers (6-3) are both on the road.
For a team with a top-five offense, Joseph could have a major impact on the division race if he returns to the Lions (6-2) anywhere near his pre-injury form. Veteran Chuck Clark has been a solid fill-in for Joseph, primarily as a free safety, while the front office acquired six-year veteran safety Andrew Cisco ahead of the trade deadline for a 2028 sixth-round pick.
Adding Joseph would turn a once-thin position group at the start of the season into a much deeper collection of talent, with Brian Branch also having returned from injury in late October.
The Lions have practiced extreme patience with Joseph in getting him prepared for a possible return to game-day action. By next week, we'll know if it paid off.
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