DETROIT – Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell gave an update on safety Kerby Joseph’s injury status ahead of their Thursday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys amid recent speculation sparked by a post to his Instagram story and a post to X.
“I don’t know about the Tweet,” said Campbell. “He’ll be running around doing some individual stuff like that. He’s doing a little bit more, but I don’t know anything about the tweet.”
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Campbell said Joseph is closer to returning than before, but added that the team will know more after practice.
“He is getting better. Like we said, he gets better every week,” Campbell said.
Joseph posted to “GOD HELP ME” in all caps in his story.
Joseph hasn’t played or practiced since Week 6, when the Lions went to Kansas City and fell to the Chiefs 30-17.
According to reports, Kerby conducted individual drills with his team on Monday (Dec. 1).
Thomas Harper has been starting at safety in Joseph’s absence, racking up 20 solo tackles and one interception so far.
When asked about the nature of the injury and the delay in his return, Campbell explained that it is largely about gaining stability and strength in the leg to manage pain and reduce wear and tear.
“A lot of it is just trying to get some stability in the leg and get some strength, which in turn will help some of the pain, but also some of the wear and tear,” Campbell said. “The stronger you get it in there, it stabilizes it, and so it doesn’t wear out as fast or create that kind of pain.”
Regarding the long-term outlook, Campbell said it’s hard to say if the injury will fully clear up, but emphasized the importance of managing it.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily going away, but I think you do the best you can to manage it,” Campbell said. “It’s like a lot of these guys that have gotten some injuries, could be cartilage or meniscus or anything like that. You do your best to manage it.”
Campbell confirmed the injury involves more than just a bone bruise, noting that Joseph has some wear on the leg.
“Bone bruise was certainly part of it, but he’s got some wear, that’s all,” Campbell said.
There has been no word if Joseph would return to the field this week against the Cowboys, but with news breaking that backfield mate, Terrion Arnold, will miss the rest of the season following shoulder surgery, his sighting would be a major plus for the 7-5 Lions.
--> Detroit Lions dealt major blow as cornerback Terrion Arnold will have season-ending surgery