Kerby Joseph Sits One More Week as the Lions Get Ready for the Vikings

Lions fans, patience. Kerby Joseph is close, but Sunday against Minnesota isn't the week.

Our Take: Holding Joseph out is the right call. Detroit is 4-2 and needs him for the long haul, and the good news is the rest of this roster is about as healthy as it's been all season heading into a huge division game.

Pride of Detroit's Erik Schlitt reports Joseph has been ruled out after returning to practice Wednesday and working only in individual and group drills. "We haven't taken any team reps," Dan Campbell said Friday. "And then next week we'll have him in real practice."

The new concern is cornerback Roger McCreary (foot), who was added to Friday's report and is questionable. Schlitt says Ennis Rakestraw would likely start at outside corner if McCreary can't play. Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell and Aidan Hutchinson are among the players who carry no injury designation.

Minnesota comes to Ford Field with safety and nickel back Jay Ward (knee) listed as questionable, per the same report.

What to watch: McCreary's status before kickoff and how Rakestraw holds up if he's pressed into a bigger role. Then circle next week, when Joseph is expected back in full practice.

Sources: Pride of Detroit, Detroit Lions