Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph offered a positive injury update and revealed a weight change for the 2024 season.
Way back during the Detroit Lions ’ uniform reveal, safety Kerby Joseph told the media that he had an offseason procedure on his hip that was going to hold him out of OTAs and minicamp this spring.
“I ain’t going to come back until training camp,” Joseph said. “Yeah, just bear with me, but I’ll be back.”
Indeed, Joseph did not participate fully during OTAs, although he was often working with the first-team defense during walkthroughs—taking mental reps without his helmet on. Back in April, he promised to be ready by training camp, and it appears he’s going to follow through on that promise.
During an appearance on the NFL Network show “The Insiders,” Joseph talked more about his injury and refers to it as a thing of the past now.
“That hip ain’t nothing,” Joseph said. “Last season, I played through the injury. It was there, but I feel 10 times better now, so I just can’t wait to get out there with the guys.”
Interestingly enough, Joseph also revealed that he put on an extra 15 points this offseason to help him bulk up on the field.
“I gained 15 pounds this season, so I’m looking to come in a bit more hefty,” Joseph said while reacting to the viral video of David Montgomery deadlifting 705 pounds .
While the Lions have been talking about moving Brian Branch to safety and Ifeatu Melifonwu broke out last year as a starting-level talent, Joseph remains a key part of the Lions’ safety group. In each of his first two NFL seasons, he tallied four interceptions and at least eight passes defended.
Joseph, along with all of the Lions veterans, are due to report for training camp on July 23.