Kerby Joseph Is Back on the Practice Field, and the Lions Secondary Just Got Scarier

Lions fans, go ahead and smile. Kerby Joseph is back on the practice field, and Allen Park felt a little louder Wednesday because of it.

Our Take: This is the best news the Lions secondary has had all season. Nobody should rush him, but a healthy Kerby Joseph next to Brian Branch makes this defense scarier the moment he's ready.

Dan Campbell announced Wednesday that the Lions opened Joseph's 21-day window to return from the physically unable to perform list, per NBC Sports. It was his first practice of the season. According to DetroitLions.com's Tim Twentyman, Joseph hasn't played in a game since Week 6 last season because of the knee injury, and he was smiling, joking with Brian Branch and even busting out a few dance moves during individual drills.

Campbell said Joseph has "passed every test to this point" and that the strength in the knee, the thigh and the quad is good. "It's been a long, hard road for Kerby," Campbell said. "This is a step in the right direction."

Remember what this guy is. Joseph was a first-team All-Pro in 2024 with a league-leading nine interceptions, per NBC Sports, and he still picked off three passes in just six games last year.

What to watch: NBC Sports' Myles Simmons notes it sounds unlikely Joseph is available this Sunday. The Lions now have 21 days to activate him, so watch how the knee responds to real contact and real intensity over the next couple of weeks. If it holds up, the back end of this defense gets its ball hawk back.

Sources: Detroit Lions, NBC Sports