According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Detroit Lions swung a trade on Monday acquiring safety Andre Cisco from the New York Jets for a sixth-round pick in the 2028 draft. A third-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cisco hasn’t performed well on his expiring contract. But the deal may say less about him than it does about the status of Kerby Joseph.
Joseph hasn’t played in over a year as he deals with a chronic knee injury. While he remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, the Lions opened his practice window on Oct. 28 and he participated in his first full practice on Nov. 5.
Still, the Lions can’t depend on Joseph to stay on the field when he returns and it’s likely why Detroit opted to swing a deal for Cisco.
Kerby Joseph’s injury uncertainty leads Detroit Lions to trade for Andre Cisco
Ideally, the Lions would love to have Joseph back in their secondary. Since entering the NFL as a third-round pick by Detroit in the 2022 draft, Joseph ranks first with 20 interceptions, ahead of Jacksonville Jaguars safety Jessie Bates and Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney, who each have 18 interceptions.
That number is more impressive considering Joseph hasn’t played since Oct. 12, 2025 after leaving a Week 5 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. While the Lions have believed he’s been close to a return in the past, head coach Dan Campbell’s declaration of a chronic injury spiked concern and Joseph has gone through an extensive rehabilitation and strengthening program as he hopes to suit up before his activation window closes on Nov. 18.
While it may not be directly related, the Lions have to prepare for the scenario where Joseph either can’t return to the field or gets hurt shortly after. Chuck Clark has been solid this year, posting an overall grade of 70.1 according to Pro Football Focus. Brian Branch has also returned from a torn Achilles suffered last December to give the secondary a lift. But the duo of Christian Izien and Keith Abney II has been disappointing, requiring a need for reinforcements.
Cisco doesn’t appear to be an upgrade in that area. In 191 defensive snaps, Cisco posted a 63.2 overall grade and has allowed five catches for 32 yards per PFF. But he does bring some value in run defense as a player who posted an 81.1 run defense grade and has three run stops this season.
Still, this is more about depth than acquiring an impact player and it could be something the Lions need to contend in the NFC North.
Lions’ Andre Cisco trade was a necessary step in tight NFC North race
The NFC North is as rugged as ever, with the Lions a half-game above first place despite owning a 6-2 record. The Green Bay Packers are right behind them with a 6-3 mark, while the Chicago Bears are 7-2 and the Vikings are 6-1 ahead of Monday night’s matchup with the Buffalo Bills.
With the division so close together, it will require all sides of the ball to function properly and force the Lions to win games in different ways. One of those ways came on Sunday as the defense picked up the offense in a 19-9 win over the Miami Dolphins.
Kelvin Sheppard’s unit has also shown signs of turning a corner, allowing an average of 15.5 points over its last four games compared to 31.75 points over the first four games.
Getting Joseph back is a development that could keep that improvement going. But the Lions had to protect themselves in case things fall apart. While Cisco isn’t a perfect player, he’s good enough to accomplish that job and on an expiring contract, it’s low-risk insurance as Joseph works his way back into the lineup.
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