Kerby Joseph deletes his X account, Instagram photos, amid latest injury speculation

The Detroit Lions need safety Kerby Joseph back badly. No one wants to see the All-Pro back on the field more than Joseph himself, who has missed the past six weeks with knee injuries. With a spot in the playoffs in flux, pressure continues to mount on Joseph and the Lions. Joseph's latest response has fueled concern and speculation among Lions fans.

On Monday, Joseph posted a story on his Instagram account that simply said, "God Help Me" in white letters on a black background. Joseph, who is typically active on social media, cleared his Instagram photos and deleted his X account.

These actions have left fans concerned about Joseph's mental health, along with potential new developments in his injury recovery. Did Joseph receive an update that his injury is possibly career-ending? According to Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network, there's "Nothing new." Joseph is merely taking a break from social media, saying it is "just fatigue from injury talk and speculation."

That's completely understandable, given how toxic the social media landscape can be, especially for a professional athlete in the sports betting era. As Joseph continues to work toward a return, it's best to eliminate the noise. Social media is not going to speed up the healing process, after all. It certainly doesn't help with the mental health side of recovery, either.

Dan Campbell says Joseph is "close" to returning, but injuries may linger long term

With time running out on the Lions' season, and a huge game on Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys, how close is Joseph to returning? Head coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media on Sunday and was asked about Joseph's status for Thursday:

"He's closer than he was before. You know, he's close. We'll know a lot more really tomorrow...but he is getting better. Like we said, he gets better every week."

Campbell's most concerning response came after being asked about whether Joseph's injuries may be chronic, saying, "I don't think it's necessarily going away." Campbell emphasized throughout that there's a lot of "wear and tear" to Joseph's injury and that they're trying to "manage it" as best they can.

READ MORE: Dan Campbell is playing with fire while Lions' playoff hopes are on the line

Wear and tear may be a part of the game, but after seeing center Frank Ragnow's early retirement and failed comeback attempt, fans are reasonably concerned that Joseph may follow suit. Even if Joseph doesn't return this season, his turnover prowess is sorely needed going forward, as the defense has turned the ball over a paltry four times during his six-game absence.

No one knows how Joseph will look if and when he returns, but he's doing all he can to ensure he'll be back to being the impactful All-Pro fans are accustomed to. He remains the Lions' biggest X-Factor in the final stretch, but until he does return, discourse will continue to be left to vague comments, clichés, and anxiety-fueled speculation. Joseph likely won't be reading any of that, which is probably for the best.