Kerby Joseph won't traveling with the Detroit Lions for their Munich game against the New England Patriots, but that shouldn't suggest to fans that the safety isn't on track to be added to the active roster sometime next week.
Wednesday is the cutoff day for Joseph, who had his 21-day practice window opened, to be added to the roster or to be shut down for the season. It's one of those things where we're not going to believe he's actually ready to go until we see his name on a Lions notification, informing us that he's been added to the roster. With how tough his road back has been, you can't blame fans for having doubts about his ability to make a triumphant return.
Still, there's been no indication that he won't - head coach Dan Campbell told reporters this week that Joseph's still progressing well, and hasn't dealt with any setbacks. Despite the teams' trade for Andre Cisco, Joseph seems to be on track to start for the franchise again.
This was probably the biggest piece of news this week, as the team remained mum at the trade deadline. But, we'll dive into a few other key storylines from this week ahead of their Week 10 contest against the Patriots.
- Kerby Joseph's return is imminent
- Injuries stalling Lions, but depth has stepped up
- Christian Mahogany back and starting in Week 10 follow discipline
- National insiders feel Lions should've done more at trade deadline
Kerby Joseph's return is imminent
One factor for the Lions' quiet trade deadline might've been Joseph's return, which at one point in the season felt like an improbability. But, if he does come back into the fold for the rest of the season with no setbacks, he would help to recreate a formerly terrifying safety tandem for the Lions. This means less pressure on their cornerbacks, and their linebackers, in coverage.
Joseph had been a turnover-generating machine for Detroit prior to going down with his injury last year. For context. Joseph is still 20th in franchise history in interceptions (20) despite being out for a half season last year, and for a half season this year. He also led the Lions in 2025 in interceptions with three - again, this is with him without half a season's worth of games.
The free safety has been sorely missed in the Lions' defense, especially as an added line of defense against opposing teams' tight ends. Detroit has been without decent coverage work from their linebackers this season, and Joseph can help carry a bit more of that load.
You'd imagine that he'd get some snaps against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but not many, as the Lions are on a tight turnaround following their Week 11 game before a Thursday bout against the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving.
Injuries stalling Lions, but depth has stepped up
As the Lions' defense begins to thrive, they're suffering a blow in the form of a second week without D.J. Reed in the starting rotation. Detroit's CB1 had started to really heat up before hurting his hip against the Minnesota Vikings, which is a bit of a blow as he never got his step back following a hamstring injury last season.
Still, and in the aggregate, the Lions' rotation of Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Roger McCreary, and Khalil Dorsey at cornerback have been very effective. Since moving off of their heavy zone coverage and blitzing earlier this season, their secondary looks like a better fit with defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard's vision.
Cade Mays is another starter who'll be out another week, but the Lions aren't worried as they have Juice Scruggs ready to go for them in Week 10. Scruggs has been one of the best centers in the NFL this year, and has done an excellent job in run-blocking for Detroit. However, he leaves a bit to be desired as a pass blocker, which is where Mays was a bit of a better fit.
Still, you take a top center off your bench any day of the week.
The Lions' depth is so much better this year than it was in 2025, and it's helping them keep afloat in a competitive division with more health.
Christian Mahogany back and starting in Week 10 follow discipline
Christian Mahogany was held out of the Lions' Week 9 win against the Miami Dolphins, and the impact of his absence on the line was felt. Mostly, felt by Jared Goff. He was picked off and sacked three times in a game where he was relentlessly off balance. With Miles Frazier plugged in at left guard, the line looked a lot more porous.
Mahogany told reporters ahead of their Munich game, "I have to grow up, let my teammates down, I let my organization down, and it won't ever happen again." (h/t Brad Galli).
It's great that he'll be back in the fold for Detroit in Germany, as New England has a 52% pass rush win rate, per ESPN.
National insiders feel Lions should've done more at trade deadline
The Lions stood firm at the trade deadline, either because the asking price was too high from around the league's sellers, or because the Lions just didn't want to throw out too much draft capital for the hopes of adding the "missing" piece to their defense. It's a valid reason either way, although you have to wonder if they've been tricked a bit about the recent success of their defense and felt like they're more than set.
Regardless, they made just one move - for Cisco, in exchange for a 2029 sixth-round pick. Cisco was barely getting playing time for New York, but that was mostly because of how much youth they have on their defense right now. He's a solid backup safety, which also opens the door for more snaps at cornerback for Keith Abney II.
At least one insider, though, feels the Lions could've - and should've - done more. ESPN's Bill Barnwell wrote of the teams' silence at the deadline:
"The Lions have an expensive core of talent, so I understand why GM Brad Holmes wanted to hold onto his draft capital, especially given that Detroit has been arguably too aggressive trading up for players during the draft in years past. The Lions shouldn't have been all-in, but with their offense, I think it's fair for fans to be disappointed that the organization didn't add at least one defensive starter at the deadline."
I think that either school of though is fair here. It's fair to say that the Lions didn't need to make an all-in move this year with Joseph's return impending, and with those kinds of moves rarely directly resulting in a Super Bowl win. It's also fair to say that Detroit values their draft capital far too much as a tool of leverage during the draft, often to trade up for project players rather than sure-things.
We'll get a look at their only acquisition, Cisco, on Sunday morning against New England.
Add us as a preferred source on Google