Detroit Lions defensive back Avonte Maddox will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after suffering a foot injury that requires surgery, coach Dan Campbell confirmed Monday. The 30-year-old veteran was injured during the second quarter of Detroit’s 41-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 17, when he collided with teammate Chuck Clark in the end zone. Maddox was taken to the locker room on a cart and did not return.
Maddox had started Detroit’s first two games at safety while Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph remained sidelined with injuries. He finished the season’s first two contests with 10 tackles and two passes defended, according to the Lions. Maddox joined Detroit in 2025 after spending seven seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and was part of Philadelphia’s Super Bowl-winning team.
The injury further depletes a Lions secondary already dealing with significant absences. Branch is recovering from an Achilles injury, while Joseph is working back from a knee issue, and Campbell said Monday that neither player would return to practice this week. Both remain on the physically unable to perform list and cannot return before Week 5.
Detroit has begun searching for reinforcements, bringing veteran defensive backs Jordan Fuller, Jalen Mills and Mike Edwards in for workouts Monday, according to ESPN and NBC Sports. The Lions are also exploring younger players currently on other teams’ practice squads as they prepare for their Week 3 matchup with the New York J
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