ALLEN PARK — For a eighth straight game this season, it appears the Detroit Lions will be without one of their key defenders in the secondary.
Speaking to reporters Friday, Lions coach Dan Campbell provided an update on safeties Kerby Joseph (knee) and Thomas Harper (concussion) as the team wrapped up its final practice ahead of Sunday’s Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
“Kerby had a setback, so obviously, I don’t feel as good about that. Harper will be out there at practice today, so I feel pretty good about him,” Campbell said. “But we’ll see there. Again, I can’t give you definitives right now, but that’s kind of where we’re at. So we’ll be good. Look, Hal’s been taking the reps. DT’s (Daniel Thomas) been taking reps. (Avonte) Maddox has been taking the reps. We got plenty of guys, and they’re getting valuable reps, so we’re good.
“IR could be (possible) — we’re back into the season now, so anything, even if it’s not technically long-term, becomes long-term because we don’t have many games left.”
Harper’s return to practice is a positive sign for Detroit, as he has started every game at safety since Week 7 in Joseph’s absence. However, with Brian Branch already out for the season with a torn Achilles, Joseph’s potential absence — especially this week — is far from ideal.
Joseph returned to practice on Wednesday and participated in drills without the bulky knee brace he had worn in recent weeks. While the Lions have not officially ruled him out, all signs point to him being unavailable for Sunday.
As Campbell noted, the Lions do have reinforcements ready. Maddox stepped in for the injured Branch last week against the Dallas Cowboys and provided quality snaps, as did Thomas. Detroit can also elevate safeties Erick Hallett and Loren Strickland from the practice squad if needed.
In addition, the Lions added veteran safety Damontae Kazee to the practice squad and claimed safety Jalen Mills off waivers from the Houston Texans. With multiple options available, Campbell does not appear concerned about navigating the short-term absences in the secondary.
“Honestly, I’m not (concerned). I’m really not. I mean, I hate losing either one of those players,” Campbell said. “They’re great players, they’re great teammates — they’re great. But as far as worry, I’m really not worried. I really do trust the guys who are going back there for us. I do, man. And what you lose in a couple of areas, you may gain in other areas, having some of these guys back there. So I know I’m good.
“But as it relates to even next year and the years after — listen, I can’t get to next year right now. I’m not even thinking about next year. Right now, my focus is L.A., and then beyond. Once we get through this one, then we’re on the next one.”