Lions' Campbell provides update on 5 players on injured list, offers potentially encouraging timeline for Branch
Allen Park — The Detroit Lions placed three players on the physically unable to perform list, and another two on the non-football list, in the days ahead of the start of training camp. On Wednesday morning, coach Dan Campbell offered updates on all five players.
Most notably, starting safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch are viewed on similar timelines.
Joseph, who missed 11 games last season with a nagging knee injury, will be re-assessed in a couple of weeks to determine whether he’s ready to practice. However, playing in the season opener is currently viewed as optimistic.
“Everything that I told you in the spring still applies,” Campbell said. “We’ve been working to this, but we’re still in this, OK. He’s running on ground, man. We’re starting to change the direction with some of this. But we’re not gonna grind this for another two or three weeks, man. So, I cannot give you a true answer.
“He’s working his tail off,” Campbell continued. “He’s not really had a vacation. He’s been here with our guys, busting his tail. So he’s putting in the work. He feels pretty good right now. But we got a long way to go, and there is still an unknown. But I like where he’s at and we like where he’s at.”
Campbell said getting Joseph back for Week 1 would be “a bonus” and isn’t expected at this time.
Meanwhile, Branch, who is working his way back from a torn Achilles, is doing well enough with the rehab process that he could also return to practice next month.
“I’m sure late training camp, maybe early September he can start practicing,” Campbell said. “We’ll see, but he’s doing well.”
The other three injury situations are viewed as minor. Defensive back Christian Izien and guard Christian Mahogany could both be back in a matter of days. Izien is dealing with a flu bug.
Finally, there’s hope tight end Tyler Conklin can be back in two weeks. He’s still dealing with lingering effects from a minor calf strain he suffered in the earlier stages of the offseason program.