By Moses Joshua 
Lions head west short-handed as Kerby Joseph remains sidelined and roster uncertainty grows ahead of Rams showdown
Joseph Still Out as Lions Absorb Another Blow
The Detroit Lions will once again be without one of their most important defensive leaders when they face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph has officially been ruled out, extending his absence to eight consecutive games and deepening Detroit’s injury concerns at a critical point in the season.
Joseph, who recently suffered a setback, could now be a candidate for injured reserve, according to head coach Dan Campbell. His continued absence, paired with the season-ending Achilles injury to fellow safety Brian Branch, leaves the Lions thin in the secondary against one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses.
Branch remains officially listed as out but has not yet been placed on injured reserve, despite being done for the year.
Seven Lions Enter Weekend as Questionable
Detroit’s injury report doesn’t stop there. The Lions listed seven additional players as questionable, creating widespread uncertainty across multiple position groups:
- TE Shane Zylstra (knee)
- RB Sione Vaki (thumb)
- WR Kalif Raymond (ankle)
- G Christian Mahogany (fibula)
- S Thomas Harper (concussion protocol)
- LT Taylor Decker (shoulder/rest)
- G Kayode Awosika (foot)
Decker has not practiced all week, though his situation is familiar. He has managed a shoulder injury throughout the season and recently logged three games in less than two weeks. Awosika, meanwhile, missed last week’s win over the Dallas Cowboys but practiced in a limited capacity throughout the week, signaling a possible return.
Offensive Line and Tight End Depth Under the Microscope
With Awosika unavailable last week, Trystan Colon and Miles Frazier split time at left guard. Detroit may once again juggle options, though the coaching staff is hopeful the situation won’t last much longer.
Mahogany returned to practice this week for the first time since his injury, logging three limited sessions. While his availability appears unlikely, the Lions still listed him as questionable.
At tight end, Detroit finds itself dangerously thin. The Lions currently have just one tight end on the 53-man roster, Anthony Firkser, making Zylstra’s potential return from injured reserve increasingly important. Zylstra has practiced for two straight weeks and could provide much-needed relief if cleared.
Secondary Depth Tested Against High-Powered Rams
The Lions’ biggest concern may come on the back end of the defense. With Joseph and Branch both out, Detroit will lean heavily on Thomas Harper, Avonte Maddox, and a rotation of younger safeties.
Campbell expressed cautious optimism about Harper’s chances after a week in concussion protocol.
“Harper will be out there at practice today, so feel pretty good about him, but we’ll see,” Campbell said Friday. “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, (Erick) Hallett’s been taking reps, (Daniel Thomas) DT’s been taking reps, Maddox has been taking reps. We’ve got plenty of guys. They’re getting valuable reps, so we’re good.”
Still, facing a Rams offense that thrives on explosive plays will test Detroit’s depth and discipline.
Raymond Nearing Return, Vaki Continues to Push Through
Wide receiver and return specialist Kalif Raymond has missed the past two games after injuring his ankle against the New York Giants. He returned to practice this week and has a chance to suit up, where he is expected to reclaim punt return duties if cleared.
Running back Sione Vaki continues to play through a thumb injury, though he has not handled kickoff duties since getting hurt. In his absence, Tom Kennedy and Jacob Saylors have stepped into return roles.
A Defining Test Despite the Setbacks
Injuries may be stacking up, but Detroit’s mindset remains unchanged. With playoff positioning on the line, the Lions head into Los Angeles knowing they’ll need contributions from every corner of the roster.
Sunday’s matchup won’t just test Detroit’s depth—it will test their resilience.