Lions safety Kerby Joseph offers update on his health as training camp nears

On the surface, Lions safety Kerby Joseph didn't have a lot of drop-off from his rookie season in 2022 to his second year last year. His Pro Football Focus grades show some negative differences, and he missed two games early in the season with a hip issue.

Joseph never appeared on another injury report, so the hip issue appeared to not really be one. But if you looked at his aforementioned PFF grades in the second half of the season (h/t to Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire), to back up the eye test, Joseph was clearly compromised physically. From Week 9-18, Joseph's overall PFF grade (57.2) was 49th out of 64 safeties who played at least 300 snaps over the span.

At the reveal of the Lions' new unforms this spring, perhaps not surprisingly when it came down to it, Joseph revealed he had surgery on that hip and he would be out of on-field practice until training camp.

Joseph appeared on NFL Network's "The Insiders" on Tuesday night. A lot of topics were on the docket, including some lofty goals in regard to intercepting quarterbacks.

"Everybody on the hit list," Joseph said. "Every quarterback I go against. 'Cause it's amazing to catch an interception in the NFL. It's just big. It's a big moment. Going against Aaron Rodgers, catching interceptions against him, that's just big. I just want them all."

Joseph revealed he is 15 pounds heavier now, which made it pretty clear he's been able to work out without limitations coming off the hip surgery.

Kerby Joseph gives positive, on-schedule, health update

But what about his hip specifically? Joseph said he feels good about two weeks out from the start of training camp.

"Oh, for sure. That hip ain't nothing," Joseph said. "Last year, I played through the injury. It was there, but I feel 10 times better now, so I just can't wait to get out there with the guys."

Joseph was limited, but not awful, last season. Simply being healthy, and now physically better-equipped after adding some muscle, could easily foster a big step for him in his third season.