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Detroit Lions safeties Branch and Joseph to miss start of 2026 season
The Detroit Lions will begin their 2026 season without starting safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. Both players have been placed on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, which mandates that they miss at least the first four games of the regular season.
Brian Branch is recovering from a torn Achilles, while Kerby Joseph is dealing with a knee injury. The team's roster moves also include offensive lineman Giovanni Manu, who will miss at least four games while on the non-football injury list, and center Cade Mays, who has been placed on injured reserve.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes have previously noted the players' rehabilitation progress, though the PUP designation confirms they will not be available for the September schedule.
Entities
Brad Holmes · Brian Branch · Dan Campbell · Detroit Lions · Kerby Joseph
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are required to miss at least the first four games of the regular season. detroitsportsnation.com · www.nbcsports.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Brian Branch is recovering from a torn Achilles. detroitsportsnation.com · www.nbcsports.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Offensive lineman Giovanni Manu will miss at least four games while on the non-football injury list. www.nbcsports.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Center Cade Mays has been placed on the injured reserve list. www.nbcsports.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Detroit Lions will begin the 2026 season with safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph on the Reserve/PUP list. detroitsportsnation.com · www.nbcsports.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Kerby Joseph is sidelined with a knee issue. www.nbcsports.com