Lions expect Branch, Joseph back after PUP stints

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is hopeful starting safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch will return this season, despite neither player having participated in any preseason action or practices throughout training camp. Branch (Achilles) and Joseph (knee) were placed on the Reserve/PUP list on Sunday and will miss at least the first four games of the season as a result of the designation. "We still have confidence that they can come back, you just can't really give an exact timeline," Holmes said on Wednesday. "But, yeah, they're both here, they're rehabbing, they're working hard, just can't offer a timeline but yeah, the hope is to have both of them back soon." As Branch continues to recover from his season-ending Achilles injury in 2025, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said they wouldn't rush him back. Joseph was also ruled out with a chronic knee injury and missed the final 11 games of the season but hasn't experienced any setbacks during his rehab process. They were initially expected to return for practices in late training camp or possibly early September, but the team hasn't offered any further updates on their status. Branch and Lions TE Sam LaPorta are also eligible for contract extensions as they enter the final year of their rookie deals in 2026, and Holmes is hoping to keep them around despite already committing over $1 billion in contracts and extensions to several of the team's core players over the course of his tenure as GM. "We still want to keep those guys around," Holmes said of Branch and LaPorta. "Those plans hadn't changed. There's a couple factors that we still gotta sort through, but in terms of us wanting those guys around, absolutely. Hopefully, we can get that done." The Lions open the regular season Sept. 13 when they host the New Orleans Saints in Detroit.