Kerby Joseph’s health is the big question mark for the Detroit Lions roster this season. What was initially thought to be a little bit of knee “wear and tear” that caused the All-Pro safety to miss most of last year is now rumored to be a serious degenerative knee condition. Questions persist regarding his return availability. But the bigger question is, if Joseph doesn’t return, who will replace him?
The Big Question On Detroit Lions’ 2026 Roster
If the rumors are to be believed about Joseph, the progressive damage and ensuing pain could prematurely end his playing career. However, he’s remained mute on the subject. Spending the past year seeking treatment, Joseph is determined to continue his playing career. The latest medical advances, such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections, could accelerate healing, stimulate growth, and reduce pain in support of that goal. Meanwhile, Joseph has been at OTAs, watching from the sidelines. But he hasn’t participated in any team practices, and his return remains a big question mark.
When asked about an estimated return timeline, coach Dan Campbell admitted he really didn’t know when Joseph would return to practice. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the Lions hope that he’ll be ready for their Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints. However, Campbell acknowledged, “Honestly, we probably won’t know until we get into the thick of training camp.”
Who Are the Lions Other Starting Options At Safety?
The fact that Joseph isn’t practicing isn’t unusual. The Lions are playing it smart and allowing him time to rehab fully before he takes the field in practice. However, if Joseph is unavailable for all or a good part of the season, replacing his elite contribution will be a challenge. It’s an incredibly disturbing thought that such a talented player could be prematurely sidelined. Joseph’s absence would be a significant blow to the team. But it would be just as devastating for a player who wants nothing more than to be on that football field, contributing to his team’s success. However, if Joseph is unavailable, how do the Lions begin to replace a player of his caliber?
The Next Man Up At Safety For the Lions
Over the past few seasons, as the injury bug bit deep into the Detroit roster, the philosophy among the coaching staff was finding the next man up to take his place. Currently on the Lions’ roster, in addition to Joseph, there are four other safeties: NFL veteran Chuck Clark,“Legion of Whom” member Thomas Harper, Loren Strickland, and 2024 rookie Dan Jackson.
A Closer Look At The Other Options for Detroit:
Chuck Clark:
Clark is an experienced NFL veteran safety who spent the majority of his career with the Baltimore Ravens. Brief stints with the New York Jets and, most recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers followed. Last season with the Steelers, he posted 51 tackles (29 solo), broke up three passes, and had one forced fumble.
Throughout his 10-year career, Clark appeared in 123 games with 80 starts.He recorded 504 tackles (280 solo), 4.5 sacks, 37 PDFs, 5 interceptions with one pick-six,seven forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. Clark’s strength is his run defense, where he shines as a disruptor, forcing fumbles. A year ago, he posted a PFF coverage grade of 83.1 that ranked 8th at the position.
Thomas Harper:
The former undrafted free agent previously spent the 2024 season with the Las Vegas Raiders before he was claimed off waivers by the Lions in August of 2025. Appearing in 15 games with the Raiders, Harper started five games, posting 18 tackles (eight solo), one interception,0.5 sack,two pass defenses, and one forced fumble.
Beginning the 2025 season as a reserve player, Harper got his opportunity when the Lions’ secondary was decimated by injuries. Defending against the run, Harper contributed 33 solo tackles. He did even better against the pass, giving up only five catches, logging one interception and two pass defenses. Earning an impressive77.8 overall PFF defensive grade, Harper ranked as the 11th best out of 98 qualified NFL safeties. Logging most of his snaps as a free safety, he also has solid experience playing strong safety and lining up in the slot. Harper’s versatility and experience in lining up in multiple defensive schemes are definite advantages.
As the two veteran safeties with the most experience, Clark and Harper have the advantage going into training camp. Jackson and Strickland are the unknowns. Jackson was drafted by Detroit in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.A talented, hard-hitting, strong safety out of Georgia, he suffered a serious leg injury during training camp and missed the entirety of the 2025 season after being placed on injured reserve.
Loren Strickland:
Signed in 2024 as an undrafted free agent, Strickland played limited snaps for Detroit in the last two seasons, recording one solo tackle.
The Look of the Lions Secondary Without Joseph
If necessary, the task of replacing Joseph will be difficult. It’s highly unlikely the Lions can replace the Pro Bowl talent’s contribution. During his 2024 First Team AP All-Pro season, Joseph posted 83 tackles (52 solo), nine interceptions, including a pick-six, and 12 PBUs. Joseph was seemingly everywhere that season, leaping up to make spectacular end zone catches, breaking up passes, and creating all-around chaos for opposing teams. Throughout his entire four-year record-setting career with Detroit, Joseph started 52 of 55 games, recording 196 career tackles (180 solo), 20 interceptions, one touchdown, 35 PBUs, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
However, instead of looking for one player to replace Joseph, DC Kelvin Sheppard could maximize the secondary coverage with two defensive backs in addition to Clark in the strong safety role and Harper as the free safety. Christian Izien, a strong veteran DB and Avonte Maddox, another member of the “Legion of Whom,” would provide the added coverage until the return of a healthy Brian Branch.However, an even better option would be the return of Joseph; even when not at full strength, he’s still one of the best safeties in the NFL. But the best option of all would be the healthy return of the best secondary duo in the NFL, Branch and Joseph.
Sue Levine spent five years creating and producing a successful weekly health and wellness podcast starring a wonderful iconic woman as the program host. As part of Sue's responsibilities, she scripted every episode and discovered a genuine love of writing. When the podcast ended, Sue shifted the focus of her writing to covering pro sports. A passionate fan of NFL and UFL football, she is delighted to share her articles with other football fans. In addition to covering the Louisville Kings for the UFL Newshub, she is in her second year as the Lastwordonsports.com/ NFL team writer for the Detroit Lions. In addition, she was recently promoted to an NFL team editor for Lastwordonsports.com.
