ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Safety Kerby Joseph, defensive back Brian Branch and tight end Sam LaPorta were not on the field as the Detroit Lions concluded their first set of organized team activities on Friday, with head coach Dan Campbell saying the trio is “all improving” after season-ending injuries.
Campbell said the Lions are prioritizing rehab and gradual progress over getting the players into spring practices. “Listen, the most important thing is continuing to let them improve, rehab, all that,” Campbell said. “That’ll take precedence right now. So, they’re in meetings. They’re getting the mental side of this and just take it day-to-day.”
The injuries that ended each player’s season came in 2025. Joseph was ruled out with a chronic knee injury and missed the final 11 games. Branch suffered a torn Achilles in the fourth quarter of a Week 14 win over the Dallas Cowboys. LaPorta underwent back surgery after being ruled out of the Week 11 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
All three have been regular contributors since being drafted by Detroit. Joseph, entering his fifth NFL season, was named first-team All-Pro following the 2024 campaign. Branch was a Pro Bowler in 2024 after finishing fifth in defensive rookie of the year voting the previous season. LaPorta set the rookie receptions mark for a tight end in 2023 and has 186 catches in three seasons with the Lions.
Campbell emphasized the team’s intention to bring those players back slowly with an eye toward the regular season rather than spring or summer showings. He noted contract extensions were not a priority as Branch and LaPorta enter the final year of their rookie deals in 2026. “That’s not the priority and it’s not worth all that anyway,” Campbell said. On LaPorta, Campbell added that the tight end “has taken some walkthrough, jog through, he’s done some of that, he’s not going to be out there today.”
