Written by TESN Staff

The Detroit Lions will open training camp without two of the most important players in their secondary.

Starting safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch have both been placed on the active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, allowing the team to take a cautious approach as each continues recovering from injury.

While seeing two defensive standouts on the PUP list may grab headlines, the designation is common during training camp and should not be confused with the reserve/PUP list used during the regular season. Players on the active/PUP list can be activated as soon as they're medically cleared, making this more of a precaution than a prediction about their availability for Week 1.

For Detroit, protecting two cornerstone defenders makes sense.

Joseph has emerged as one of the NFL's top playmaking safeties, earning a reputation for his instincts, range, and ability to change games with takeaways. Alongside him, Branch has become one of the league's most versatile defensive backs, capable of lining up at safety, nickel corner, or in the box while making an impact against both the run and the pass.

Their absence from early practices creates an opportunity for younger players to receive valuable first-team reps. Training camp is often where depth is developed, and those extra snaps could pay dividends once the regular season begins.

Still, there's little reason for Detroit to rush either player.

The Lions enter the 2026 season with legitimate Super Bowl expectations, and having Joseph and Branch healthy in September carries far more value than having them on the field during the opening week of camp.

For now, patience is the priority.

Detroit's coaching staff is focused on the long view, ensuring two of the defense's most valuable pieces are fully recovered before the games begin to count. If both safeties return on schedule, the Lions should once again field one of the NFL's most talented and experienced secondaries heading into the regular season.