On the first day of training camp, Lions head coach Dan Campbell provided updates on Detroit‘s star safeties, Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch.
Joseph and Branch were placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP) on Sunday. Joseph missed the final 11 games of last season with a chronic knee injury. Branch suffered a torn Achilles during the Lions‘ Dec. 4, 2025, win over the Dallas Cowboys.
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Joseph is running, but the Lions don’t plan to put him on the practice field for another two to three weeks.
“OK, Kerby, everything that I told you in the spring, it still applies to that. We’ve been working to this, but we’re still in this, OK, he’s running on ground, we’re starting to do change of direction, some of this. But, we’re not going to grind this for another two or three weeks, man. I cannot give you a true answer. He’s working his tail off. He’s not really had a vacation. He’s been here with our guys busting his tail, so he’s putting in the work, he feels pretty good right now. But, we’ve got a long way to go and there is still an unknown. But, I like where he’s at, we like where he’s at,” Campbell said.
Campbell said during OTAs that the Lions won’t rush Branch back. On Wednesday, Campbell said Branch could start practicing in late training camp or early September.
“Branch is doing well. His will be obviously PUP. There’s no setbacks. Take it as it comes and we’ll see. I’m sure late training camp, maybe early September he can start practicing. We’ll see. But, he’s doing well,” Campbell said.
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The Lions begin their three-game preseason slate on Thursday, Aug. 13 at the Cincinnati Bengals at 7 p.m. ET.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions’ Dan Campbell updates Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch injuries
