One day after Kerby Joseph hobbled through position drills at his first practice in nearly two months, the Pro Bowl safety was nowhere to be seen when the Detroit Lions put a wrap on their preparations for Thursday's game against the Dallas Cowboys.
But Lions coach Dan Campbell said neither Joseph's absence nor the somber tone he took when discussing his injury with reporters were signs things have turned in the wrong direction.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"Look, that’s his first time to go out there," Campbell said Tuesday, Dec. 2. "He’s been rehabbing, he’s been doing things on the side but that’s kind of his first being around it, in the individual drills. And so sometimes you’re always going to hope for a little bit more than the first time you get back on the turf. But that doesn’t mean this is a setback."
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) tackles Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar (88) during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025.ON OFFENSE: Amon-Ra St. Brown injury update: Lions won't rule WR out vs Cowboys
Joseph is expected to miss his seventh straight game against the Cowboys. His return is unknown, as the safety said Monday, Dec. 1, "It’s all in God’s plan" when he comes back.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe NFL leader in interceptions last season, Joseph has battled knee problems since training camp and is currently dealing with a cartilage issue that he'll have to manage for the foreseeable future.
He is not expected to undergo surgery this offseason, but could pursue other treatment plans to elongate his career.
Joseph has practiced just twice since the start of October and last played in a game Oct. 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Campbell acknowledged Joseph's frustration, but said he has been working hard to return.
"I know he can get frustrated, and I know it can be frustrating when you get hurt, especially when you’ve been trying to work your way back," Campbell said. "I mean, he’s been – he’s been busting his tail to get back. But there again, you just continue to treat it, try to eliminate the pain or limit most of the pain to where he feels like he can produce."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Kerby Joseph injury update: No 'setback' as Detroit Lions S out again
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