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Lions expect Kerby Joseph to play in 2026, Brian Branch nears return: Can Detroit defense turn a corner?

The Detroit Lions, currently mired at the bottom of the NFL in defense, are poised for a potential turnaround as two key safeties inch closer to full participation. Brian Branch, a Pro Bowl-caliber player, is expected to return from an Achilles injury in time for Week 7, though he may initially play on a limited snap count to ease back into action.

His return shifts focus to Kerby Joseph, who has been sidelined since October 2025 due to a chronic, inoperable knee issue. Coach Dan Campbell has expressed optimism about Joseph’s progress, suggesting he could rejoin the lineup at some point this season, though no exact timeline has been set.

The last time Branch and Joseph started together in 2024, the Lions boasted the league’s seventh-ranked scoring defense, a unit that helped propel the team to a franchise-best 15 wins and a divisional-round playoff appearance. Joseph’s ability to stay healthy will be critical, as he led the NFL in interceptions that season, but his return—even partially—could mark a pivotal moment for Detroit’s defense.

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