Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch are arguably the league's best safety duo when healthy. However, questions surround the health of the Detroit Lions tandem and if there will ever be a "when healthy" again.
Speaking with Lions Collective in an exclusive interview, Lions general manager Brad Holmes was asked about the latest in Joseph's recovery.
"Yeah, look, we don't have a crystal ball, but I know that I just saw him the other day. You know, and he's working hard, he's training, he's rehabbing," Holmes said. "You know, he's doing ground work and all that kind of stuff, so we're going to have a better assessment about that probably in about a few weeks, and it's very kind of just ongoing, really. But think he's in a good spot that he can be in right now, and we'll just kind of just continue to assess him."
"We just kind of keeping having the regular check-ins with the medical staff and on his progress. But, yeah, we just kind of keep monitoring it and see how it's going."
Joseph's injury has raised concerns about a potential arthritic, chronic, or degenerative issue with his knee, which can easily derail an NFL career. Joseph's injury comes after a phenomenal 2024 season, where he was named to the first-team All-Pro after leading the league in interceptions. Despite playing only six games in 2025, Joseph still led the Lions in INTs with three, being one of only two players, along with D.J. Reed, with multiple INTs.
Holmes mentioned he may have a "better assessment" and "more intel" on how that recovery is going in a few weeks, which lines up with the NFL Draft. Even if Holmes doesn't share anything new in his draft press conferences, the way he drafts could be a sign one way or another of how the franchise feels about Joseph's long-term health outlook.
Brad Holmes also provided an update on Brian Branch's recovery from Achilles injury
There's less of a mystery surrounding Branch's injury after he tore his Achilles tendon late last season. The marvels of sports medicine have seen players return from Achilles tears far quicker than ever before, but it remains to be seen if Branch's timeline could mean a 2026 return.
Given that Branch is due for a new contract, Holmes was asked if he's taken a look at other players who went through a similar injury and how they've recovered:
"You know, I actually have, and I don't want to say the player, but there was a guy that I saw recently that had a similar injury, and saw his movement skills and was like, 'Wow, you would have, like, I wouldn't have known that he had that injury.' So I thought that was the most recent example that I thought was very encouraging," Holmes said.
"Now, we've run a lot of data and analysis and a lot of deep dives just on that injury and all that stuff obviously ... but just hoping for the best in his recovery. I know he's working hard. He's got the right mindset and, so again, just like Kerby, we'll just kind of continue to monitor. Seeing how he's progressing and see where it goes."
As a sidebar, it's interesting to wonder who that unknown player Holmes was referring to. Possibly a free agent like running back Najee Harris, who also tore his Achilles last season, although the Lions have since signed Isiah Pacheco. If nothing else, that would align with his M.O. of finding high-upside guys who are recovering from injury or have had an injury history.
As for Branch, Holmes said that the team will take into consideration his injury and how he recovers when deciding if and when Branch and fellow injured 2023 draft pick tight end Sam LaPorta will receive an extension, but that it's not the "be-all, end-all."
The long road to recovery continues for the elite safety duo, and for a defense that could still use plenty more help in 2026. How well Joseph and Branch recover and how Holmes and the Lions manage that could very well decide how the 2026 season goes.