In an ideal world, Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch would both return to form, but if their injuries linger, the Lions have stocked up on capable backstops.
When Branch was injured, I immediately thought the entire 2026 season was lost.
I haven't seen anyone project any timelines for him.
Achilles injuries are typically a year, often longer, and the Lions' training staff has a history of giving players more time to fully recover, which, when added to a December injury means Branch's 2026 season would optimistically start at the postseason.
Is that as reasonable a timeline as someone could suggest at the moment?
"A 2025 study published by the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, which reviewed the NFL’s 117 Achilles injuries over a 15-year period (2009-24) found that the majority occur early in the season, during games and in non-contact situations.
Of note, the average return to play for tears was 276.6 days, which could put Branch on track for a September debut."
Given some of the contract elements at play, I would anticipate a conservative approach. Midseason seems reasonable. But guys have been coming back from the injury sooner and sooner.
That plan isn't established in March and April. You sort through the collected pieces after the draft and go from there. But "more" simply implies a decrease from a league-high usage of base defense AFTER losing one of your starting linebackers to free agency, so it would seem likely the ratio changes in favor of more nickel.
They have done an OK job of stop-gapping here. Fortunately, safety is a position where some really good players can be had in the middle and later rounds. Kerby is a fine example, Reed Blankenship did a good job in Philly, there are lots of others. I think the best we can hope for is Branch coming back strong by the end of the year, and Kerby's knee holding up in the playoff games after careful load management (missing a bunch of games) in the regular season.
I think we are good at safety for now. Let's hope Kirby and Branch can not only return, but return to form. Feel better about Branch than Kirby, but since we really don't know a lot about what he is going through, all we are doing is speculating.
I don’t disagree with your sentiments, Rich, but it must be very difficult for a journalist to have access to someone dealing with such a vital and private juncture in their lives, as Kirby Joseph seems to be experiencing right now. As his fans, we would like to know more, but that isn’t something we, or Justin is entitled to. It’s only possible when Kirby is willing to share such details about his health… his career… his life. The best we can do is support him through what must be a very difficult time for him.
I’m very optimistic that Maddox and Harper will be capable of either becoming starters or forcing enough of a challenge to Clark and Izien (to name two) for them to muscle their way into significant roles in the safety room. I don’t think I’ve heard enough positive information from Brad or Dan to believe Kirby will ever be able to play again… or expect Branch to return to his former level of play in 2026. Perhaps in 2027, but not this coming season. So it’s clear to me that it’s showtime for the contenders to separate themselves from the pretenders to win starting jobs at safety in ‘26.
I didn't even mention last year's seventh-round pick Dan Jackson in this piece. He crossed my mind, but it's setting up to be a reasonably steep uphill battle with the proven veteran options, most of who are reliable special teams options.
I think Dan Jackson might be a surprise this year. He was always a baller at Georgia in the underdog role. Hoping he will polish up nicely and at least be reliable depth.
I remember reading in more than one final 53 roster analysis that Dan Jackson was going to be waived, before he was injured. Not to say that he could not have come on to the practice squad If he hadn't been injured.
With these signings it doesn’t seem likely that we will spend a high draft pick on a safety
When Branch was injured, I immediately thought the entire 2026 season was lost.
I haven't seen anyone project any timelines for him.
Achilles injuries are typically a year, often longer, and the Lions' training staff has a history of giving players more time to fully recover, which, when added to a December injury means Branch's 2026 season would optimistically start at the postseason.
Is that as reasonable a timeline as someone could suggest at the moment?
From my coverage:
"A 2025 study published by the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, which reviewed the NFL’s 117 Achilles injuries over a 15-year period (2009-24) found that the majority occur early in the season, during games and in non-contact situations.
Of note, the average return to play for tears was 276.6 days, which could put Branch on track for a September debut."
Given some of the contract elements at play, I would anticipate a conservative approach. Midseason seems reasonable. But guys have been coming back from the injury sooner and sooner.
Man, this reads like an obit
Is there a plan to play more nickel D?
That plan isn't established in March and April. You sort through the collected pieces after the draft and go from there. But "more" simply implies a decrease from a league-high usage of base defense AFTER losing one of your starting linebackers to free agency, so it would seem likely the ratio changes in favor of more nickel.
They have done an OK job of stop-gapping here. Fortunately, safety is a position where some really good players can be had in the middle and later rounds. Kerby is a fine example, Reed Blankenship did a good job in Philly, there are lots of others. I think the best we can hope for is Branch coming back strong by the end of the year, and Kerby's knee holding up in the playoff games after careful load management (missing a bunch of games) in the regular season.
I think we are good at safety for now. Let's hope Kirby and Branch can not only return, but return to form. Feel better about Branch than Kirby, but since we really don't know a lot about what he is going through, all we are doing is speculating.
Gotta feel bad for Kerby. I know he “got paid”.
It must horrible to have incurable injury. Does he do PT each day? Is it getting any better? Wow.
It would be an interesting article to see how he is dealing with this.
I don’t disagree with your sentiments, Rich, but it must be very difficult for a journalist to have access to someone dealing with such a vital and private juncture in their lives, as Kirby Joseph seems to be experiencing right now. As his fans, we would like to know more, but that isn’t something we, or Justin is entitled to. It’s only possible when Kirby is willing to share such details about his health… his career… his life. The best we can do is support him through what must be a very difficult time for him.
I’m very optimistic that Maddox and Harper will be capable of either becoming starters or forcing enough of a challenge to Clark and Izien (to name two) for them to muscle their way into significant roles in the safety room. I don’t think I’ve heard enough positive information from Brad or Dan to believe Kirby will ever be able to play again… or expect Branch to return to his former level of play in 2026. Perhaps in 2027, but not this coming season. So it’s clear to me that it’s showtime for the contenders to separate themselves from the pretenders to win starting jobs at safety in ‘26.
I agree with your assessment 100%. That said my predictions are almost always off base. Can’t wait to be wrong on this one.
Solid, informative write up, as usual, Justin. I’ll sleep even sounder tonight with this news.
I didn't even mention last year's seventh-round pick Dan Jackson in this piece. He crossed my mind, but it's setting up to be a reasonably steep uphill battle with the proven veteran options, most of who are reliable special teams options.
I think Dan Jackson might be a surprise this year. He was always a baller at Georgia in the underdog role. Hoping he will polish up nicely and at least be reliable depth.
I remember reading in more than one final 53 roster analysis that Dan Jackson was going to be waived, before he was injured. Not to say that he could not have come on to the practice squad If he hadn't been injured.
And if the news from the starters is good, I expect we could get a low level draft pick by trading them