Troubling Update Emerges Regarding $86 Million Lions Safety
Former NFL head team physician Dr. David Chao has shared an update that could raise serious concerns for the Detroit Lions and their fanbase.
Speaking from Radio Row ahead of the Super Bowl, Chao suggested that Lions safety Kerby Joseph may not be able to complete the full length of his recent contract extension due to ongoing knee concerns. His comments painted a pessimistic picture about Joseph’s long-term outlook in the league.
“This situation is pretty risky,” Chao said. “I’m absolutely rooting for him, but articular cartilage is the ultimate challenge in sports medicine. If someone figured out how to reliably regenerate it, they’d deserve a Nobel Prize. It’s essentially the tread on your tires—you can’t just swap it out. That tissue has very limited blood supply, which makes healing incredibly difficult.”
Chao compared Joseph’s situation to early-career Jadeveon Clowney, who underwent microfracture surgery to address cartilage damage.
“Microfracture surgery is typically done when there’s complete cartilage loss in a specific area, and that can change a career,” Chao explained. “Clowney exceeded expectations and played for a long time, but teams were always cautious. That’s a big reason he never landed a major long-term contract—there were constant concerns about his knee.”
While Chao admitted he has not reviewed Joseph’s medical records, he said the discussion around stem-cell treatment is concerning.
“When stem cells enter the conversation, you’re talking about something more severe than even microfracture,” Chao said. “Stem cells can help, but they’re not a miracle cure. This isn’t one big play that wins the game. The odds are slim.”
Chao ultimately described the possibility of Joseph finishing his contract as a “Hail Mary.”
“I truly hope I’m wrong,” he said. “But for a young player, this isn’t encouraging. If the Lions can get a productive year or two out of him, maybe a few seasons, that would be a win. Expecting him to play through the entire deal and earn another contract is a long shot.”
Kerby Joseph’s Injury Timeline
Joseph entered the 2025 NFL season with massive expectations after a breakout 2024 campaign in which he recorded nine interceptions, 83 tackles, and 12 passes defended. His performance earned him a four-year, $86 million extension, making him the highest-paid safety in franchise history.
However, his season took a turn in Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns on September 28. Although Joseph initially returned to action after the injury, he later suffered a setback. In December, the Lions placed him on Injured Reserve, officially ending his season.
Dan Campbell Emphasized Careful Injury Management
Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed Joseph’s condition earlier in December, stressing that the team needed to be cautious moving forward.
“I don’t think this is something that just disappears,” Campbell said. “At that point, it’s about managing it the best you can. A lot of players deal with cartilage or meniscus issues, and all you can do is try to manage it as smartly as possible.”
