Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph Could Return Earlier Than Expected for Lions

The Detroit Lions entered training camp knowing they would have to begin the 2026 season without two of their most important defensive backs.

Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph were both placed on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) after suffering season-ending injuries in 2025. For a defense that is trying to bounce back and get the Lions back into playoff contention, losing both starting safeties was a significant blow.

But as training camp moves toward the regular season, there is no reason for optimism.

Neither player is expected to be ready for Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints, but recent updates from head coach Dan Campbell suggest both Branch and Joseph could return earlier than orginally expected.

Branch's Recovery Continues to Trend in the Right Direction

Of the two safeties, Brian Branch appears to be the closest to returning.

Branch suffered a torn Achilles in December, an injury that initially made his availability for the beginning of the 2026 season a major question mark. However, Campbell provided an encouraging update before training camp began.

When asked about Branch's timeline, Campbell said, "I'm sure late training camp, maybe early September, he could start practicing. We'll see."

That was already an encouraging sign.

Then, on August 3, Branch was spotted doing on-field work with a trainer. He reportedly went through running and change-of-direction drills, an important step in his recovery from an Achilles injury. The significance isn't necessarily that Branch is about to play in a game. It's that the Lions are seeing him progress toward the point where he can begin practicing with the team.

If Branch can return to practice in early September, Detroit could potentially avoid placing him on the regular season PUP list. That would give the Lions the flexibility to have him available sooner than the four-game minimum absence associated with remaining on PUP.

For a player coming off an Achilles tear, that's a pretty meaningful development.

Campbell's Latest Update on Kerby Joseph Is Encouraging

Kerby Joseph's situation has been considerably more complicated.

Joseph dealt with a knee injury for much of last season, and there has been a considerably more uncertainty surrounding his ability to return than there has been with branch. That's why Campbell's latest update was particularly noteworthy.

On August 11, Campbell said Joseph's rehab was "coming along very well."

He also clarified that Joseph's recent absence from camp was due to a personal matter rather than a setback in his rehabilitation. Most importantly, Campbell said he still sees Joseph following the same recovery plan as Branch.

"I still see him on the (Brian) Branch plan, if that makes sense. And Branch is doing well too," Campbell said. "So those guys, we're talking about on down the road, the season's already begun, but I like where (Joseph) is at."

That's about as positive of an update as the Lions could realistically hope for without Campbell putting an actual return date on the calendar. Joseph isn't expected to be ready for Week 1, but the fact that Campbell continues to group his recovery with Branch's is significant.

The Lions Do Not Need to Rush Either Player

The temptation is obvious.

If the Lions can get Branch and Joseph back sooner than expected, the defense could receive an enormous boost. But Detroit has to be careful here.

Branch is coming back from an Achilles injury. Joseph is working his way back from a knee issue that already cost him most of last season. Neither player needs to be rushed onto the field simply because the Lions are eager to get their starting safety duo back.

The good news is that the Lions built some depth behind them.

Chuck Clark and Avonte Maddox have taken the majority of the first-team safety reps during training camp, and Dan Campbell has been complimentary of the veteran duo. Campbell recently said Maddox "has grown a ton just in a year at that position for us," while noting that he and Clark communicate well and bring plenty of experience. That gives Detroit some breathing room.

The Lions can allow Branch and Joseph to continue progressing without forcing either player back before they are ready.

The Timing Could Be Crucial

Even if neither Branch nor Joseph is available for Week 1, getting them back sometime in September or early October could dramatically change the outlook of Detroit's defense. That's especially true for Brian Branch.

His versatility gives the Lions the ability to move him around the secondary, while Kerby Joseph's ball-hawking ability gives Detroit another playmaker on the back end.

Put the two together, and Detroit could eventually have one of the more talented safety tandems in the NFC. The key word is 'eventually'.

Campbell's latest comments don't mean Branch and Joseph are guaranteed to return in September. They don't mean either player will be ready to immediately play a full workload when he does return. What they do indicate is that neither recovery appears to be moving backward. And for the Lions, that's exactly what they need right now.

This Could Be a Huge Midseason Addition

The Lions don't need Branch and Joseph to save the defense Week 1. They need them healthy when the games start carrying more weight.

If Detroit can survive the opening portion of the season with Clark, Maddox and the rest of the secondary holding things together, eventually adding Joseph and Branch could feel like making two major defensive acquisitions in the middle of the season.

That's the scenario Detroit Lions fans should be watching.

Brian Branch is already doing on-field work. Kerby Joseph's rehab is reportedly progressing very well. Dan Campbell continues to connect the two players' recovery timeline together.

There is still plenty of uncertainty, and Detroit should remain cautious with both players. But after months of questions surrounding the Lions' safety position, the latest updates finally provide something the team hasn't had much of when it comes to Branch and Joseph.

Reason for optimism.

And if both safeties can return earlier than initially feared, the Lions defense could look considerably different by the time the season reaches its most important stretch.