The Detroit Lions are maintaining a positive outlook regarding the return of their star safeties, Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, both of whom are currently on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. General manager Brad Holmes expressed his confidence in their recovery during a recent media session, although he did not provide a specific timeline for their return to the field.
Holmes stated, "We still have confidence that they can come back, you just can't really give an exact timeline. But, yeah, they're both here, they're rehabbing, they're working hard, just can't offer a timeline but yeah, the hope is to have both of them back soon." This optimism comes as the Lions prepare for the start of the 2026 NFL season, where both players will miss at least the first four games due to their respective injuries.
Branch is currently recovering from an Achilles injury sustained in December 2025, which prematurely ended his season. Joseph, on the other hand, is dealing with a degenerative knee issue that limited him to just six games last year. The absence of both players is a significant blow to the Lions' defense, which struggled with injuries throughout the previous season.
As they begin the season, the Lions will face a challenging schedule, including matchups against teams like the New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and Carolina Panthers in the first four weeks. The earliest chance for Branch and Joseph to return would be in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals on October 11.
Particularly noteworthy is the Lions' Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills, who ranked as the NFL's 15th-best passing offense last season. Led by quarterback Josh Allen, who threw for the 11th-most yards in 2025, the Bills pose a formidable challenge. In their last encounter, the Lions' defense allowed 48 points and 362 passing yards, highlighting the need for a stronger defensive lineup.
During training camp and the preseason, Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard relied on Chuck Clark and Avonte Maddox as the primary safeties in the absence of Branch and Joseph. Clark, who played 15 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, brings experience with three pass deflections and 51 combined tackles. Maddox, a former rotational defensive back for the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl-winning team, signed a one-year contract with the Lions and adds depth to the secondary.
The Lions' secondary faced significant challenges in the previous season, largely due to injuries that depleted their talent and depth. As a result, the team ranked 20th in the league for passing yards allowed per game, a statistic they are eager to improve upon this year.
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