The Detroit Lions have one of their biggest games of the year coming on Thursday when they host the Green Bay Packers for a Thanksgiving battle at Ford Field. The Lions will be looking to avenge a Week 1 loss and keep the Packers behind them in the NFC North standings in their second meeting of the year, and it would have been nice to have All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph in the lineup.
Unfortunately, that won’t be the case. Joseph hasn’t played since a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 12 after aggravating a knee injury. While there was some hope for a return after he missed the past three games, Lions head coach Dan Campbell confirmed he would miss a fourth straight contest when speaking to reporters on Tuesday.
“Yeah, I don’t see Kerby this week,” Campbell said, via the team's X account. “It’s very, very difficult, but to Kerby’s credit, man, he’s rehabbing. He’s putting in the work. He knows that the work he’s putting in now will hopefully keep us from having to…ride this wave up and down where, ‘OK, he’s back now.’ [or] ‘He’s not able to go.’ That’s what this is all about, getting him to strengthen…stabilize some of the muscles in this area and get him to where, ‘All right, here we go, man.’ It doesn’t mean it’s going to alleviate some of the pain, but it’s going to make him feel a lot better, and he will be more functional. He’ll be ready to produce and be ready for the next week.”
While not having Joseph back for the biggest game of the year is a letdown, Detroit seems to be taking a long-term approach with his injury. It has an immediate effect in the short term, however, and could give Thomas Harper another opportunity against the Packers.
Lions’ Thomas Harper Will Be Tested Again vs. Packers’ Aggressive Passing Game
Harper has played well for the Lions this season, and his level of play has gone up in Joseph’s absence. Pro Football Focus believed that the Las Vegas Raiders import had one of his best games of the season in last week’s win over the New York Giants, logging his highest overall grade (75.1) and coverage grade (68.9) as a starter. But the way teams have attacked Harper has some extra concern entering Thursday.
The Lions allow the highest average depth of target (ADOT) at 10.28 yards this season, and it’s a big issue with the Packers coming to town. While Green Bay has lost its two biggest intermediate threats in Tucker Kraft and Jayden Reed, it still has its downfield threats in place, as Christian Watson has the third-highest ADOT at 19.8 yards this season, and Romeo Doubs ranks 27th among qualifiers at 13.2 yards.
With Jordan Love likely to chuck the ball downfield, it puts a spotlight on Harper and the Lions' secondary. While Harper has looked comfortable, he should also have had help from some of his teammates. DJ Reed returned from a hamstring injury and last week’s win over the Giants, and Terrion Arnold could be on his way back from a concussion after Arthur Maulet was waived on Tuesday. Brian Branch should also help the cause, giving the Lions ¾ of their starting secondary on Thursday afternoon.
The Lions know what the Packers are capable of after their loss at Lambeau Field to open the season. If Harper is up for the challenge, they should have a great chance of serving them a cold plate of revenge for Thanksgiving.