Lions All-Pro Defender in Danger of Missing Multiple Games Next Season

0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The Detroit Lions secondary has absorbed some big blows this offseason.

The team lost cornerback Amik Robertson to the Washington Commanders, and it was forced to cut former first-round cornerback Terrion Arnold after he found himself in trouble with the law and facing the potential of life in prison (though it seems like he may avoid that harsh of a sentence).

Then over the weekend, the team learned it will be without All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph for a majority of training camp and possibly into the regular season.

“The #Lions have placed safety Kerby Joseph on PUP to start training camp as he continues to recover from a difficult knee injury,” Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team posted on X. “If he isn't removed from the list before rosters are trimmed to 53 players in late August, then he'll miss at least the first 4 games of the regular season.”

The 25-year-old Joseph posted three straight 80-plus tackle seasons to start his career with 17 interceptions — including a career-high and NFL -leading nine in 2024 — 31 passes defended, and two forced fumbles.

However, a bone bruise in his knee derailed his 2025 season, limiting him to just six games.

Detroit’s safety depth behind Joseph leaves much to be desired with Thomas Harper, Chuck Clark, Dan Jackson, and Loren Strickland the only others at the position on the roster.

The Lions also have Brian Branch, a defensive back they switch between cornerback and safety. Branch starred as an All-American and All-SEC safety at Alabama, and he should see a lot of action until Joseph is healthy enough to return to the lineup.

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