Lions 'still have confidence' Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch will return

ALLEN PARK — Detroit Lions safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch are both starting the season on the reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, meaning they'll be sidelined for at least the first four games of 2026. But hope remains within the Lions regarding their potential returns. "We still have confidence that they can come back, we just can't really give an exact timeline," Lions general manager Brad Holmes said Wednesday, Sept. 2. "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 at some point." Joseph has been dealing with a knee injury since at least last summer, when he missed time in training camp. Joseph went on to make six appearances for the Lions in 2025, with his last coming in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 12. There was hope Joseph could get back on the field at some point last season, but he ultimately was placed on injured reserve Dec. 20, ending his fourth campaign. Branch, meanwhile, tore his Achilles against the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 4. In July, Lions coach Dan Campbell said Branch could begin practicing in late August or early September, and he said Joseph was "on the Branch plan a little bit, and that's if everything goes well and everything goes according to plan with him and we’ve got everything on our side." Though neither Branch nor Joseph will be eligible to play play in a game until Detroit's Week 5 contest at the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 11, both can return to practice as early as Sept. 18, one day after the Lions' Week 2 game at the Buffalo Bills. The Lions plan to start Chuck Clark and Avonte Maddox at safety to begin the season, with Thomas Harper providing depth at the position. Aamaris Brown, a versatile defensive back who signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent, is on the practice squad. rsilva@detroitnews.com @rich_silva18 This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Lions 'still have confidence' Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch will return