Detroit Doctor Speaks on Kerby Joseph & Brian Branch Injury Status
Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch/ Images via Imago
Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch/ Images via Imago
A Detroit-area doctor has provided a new timeline for two key Lions defenders. Dr. Jeff Pierce addressed the injury statuses of Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, offering both good news and a long road to recovery for one star.
The treating doctor shared his thoughts on WoodwardSports. The good news is that he dismissed the claim of Joseph needing a knee replacement, but he also stated that the Lions star will need arthroscopic surgery.
"That's kind of where I am with him. You know, we haven't really heard much. You know, Spence is worried. Is he going to be 100%? I'm hoping he's going to be 100%, but I do have my doubts. Like I've said before, he probably needs to be scoped."
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 30: Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph 31 reacts to a miss opportunity to intercept the ball during a NFL, American Football Herren, USA game against the San Francisco 49ers on December 30, 2024 at Levi s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire NFL: DEC 30 Lions at 49ers EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon241230125
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 30: Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph 31 reacts to a miss opportunity to intercept the ball during a NFL, American Football Herren, USA game against the San Francisco 49ers on December 30, 2024 at Levi s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire NFL: DEC 30 Lions at 49ers EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon241230125
In sports medicine, when someone says a knee needs to be scoped, they usually mean arthroscopic surgery. It is a minimally invasive orthopedic procedure where a surgeon inserts a tiny camera (an arthroscope) and small instruments into the knee through very small incisions.
It lets the doctor see inside the joint and diagnose or repair damage without opening the knee widely. "His time frame is right now because you need a good six to eight weeks after to really get everything firing again," the doctor said.
It seems Campbell's decision to play in 2025 ultimately left him with a serious, chronic left knee injury that sidelined him for the final 11 games of the 2025 season.
However, there was one bitter to swallow from the doctor.
When Will Brian Branch Return to the Detroit Lions?
The doctor also talked about the Detroit Lions' defensive back's injury as well, and also gave the timeline of his return.
"I think his surgical repair was more like Kirk Cousins and Tatum. Tatum was, you know, he was seen right away. had surgery within 24 or 48 hours, and just had the team pushing, and you had a guy who was mentally strong. Branch is also that way...He's got to be mobile, right? So you're worried about the recovery and time frame. So, I would say the day he had surgery, no sooner than 10 months before he's playing."
He compared Branch's injury to the one suffered by NBA star Jayson Tatum. Tatum suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon in May 2025 during the NBA playoffs. He missed about 10 months before returning to the game. Brian Branch's future looks the same.
The Detroit Lions defensive back suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 14 of the 2025 NFL season. The injury occurred during a play vs the Dallas Cowboys, when he landed awkwardly and immediately grabbed his lower leg. And now the doctor says he won't be back 10 months after his surgery.
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Written by
Reyansh Dubey
Edited by
Siddharth Shirwadkar