Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph has hit a snag in his return from a knee issue.
Head coach Dan Campbell, now in his fifth year with Detroit, kept his update brief, saying only that the injury “bothers him,” and stopping short of declaring Joseph unavailable for this week’s matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. Even so, the situation appears to be moving in the wrong direction.
Earlier in the week, Lions coaches emphasized that Joseph needed not only to practice, but also to respond well the following day — something that hasn’t happened consistently. With the season entering a crucial stretch, failing to make progress could push the team to place the former third-round selection on injured reserve.
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard noted that replacing both Joseph and Brian Branch — who recently underwent Achilles surgery — will require contributions from multiple players.
“It’s going to take everyone,” Sheppard said. “That’s how it’s been all year. The expectation doesn’t change. It’s just about guys stepping up and taking advantage of their opportunity. We aren’t planning to overhaul the scheme. Having a reliable veteran like Avonte Maddox helps keep things stable.”
Sheppard added that he hopes Maddox hears any doubt about whether Detroit will need to adjust its defensive approach and uses it as motivation.
To reinforce the secondary, Detroit recently brought in additional help, including veteran safety Jalen Mills. When speaking to Lions OnSI, Sheppard shared his early impressions of the 31-year-old waiver acquisition.
“He’s an LSU guy and a fierce competitor,” Sheppard said. “What I appreciate is that he’s been playing — he’s not someone who’s been sitting out all year. Brad Holmes did a great job bringing in a player who’s already football-ready.”
According to Sheppard, the key for Mills will be mastering the Lions’ terminology. The foundational concepts — Cover 2, Cover 3, Cover 4 — are familiar to every defensive back, but understanding the language of Detroit’s system and translating it on the field will be the next step.
“Once he’s on the practice field and we see how he moves within our system, we’ll get a better sense of his fit,” Sheppard said. “But I’m excited about what he brings.”
