The Detroit Lions had the 11-most interceptions despite allowing the 6th-most passing yards and the 6th-most passing touchdowns in 2023. Their starting safety led the team in interceptions even though he battled a serious injury.
The Detroit Lions safety led the team in interceptions, battling a hip injury
Kerby Joseph suffered a hip injury in Week 2 that caused him to miss Weeks 3 and 4. He returned in Week 5 and played the last 13 regular season and three playoff games, leading the team in interceptions. He recorded 82 tackles, four interceptions, and 11 pass deflections and allowed 32 receptions on 58 targets for 552 yards, two touchdowns, and a 70.5 passer rating.
He underwent hip surgery during the offseason and is feeling better.
Kerby Joseph is feeling better
“Oh, for sure. That hip ain’t nothing,” Joseph said during an appearance on NFL Network’s The Insiders. “Last year, I played through the injury. It was there, but I feel 10 times better now, so I just can’t wait to get out there with the guys.”
He didn’t participate during offseason workouts, including OTAs and mandatory minicamp, but will probably be ready for training camp.
“I ain’t going to come back until training camp,” Joseph said. “Yeah, just bear with me, but I’ll be back.”
Who filled in at safety?
Brandon Joseph was one of a few safeties to fill in because of the injuries to Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. Joseph, an undrafted free agent from 2023, spent most of his rookie season on their practice squad last season. He is fighting for a roster spot heading into his second season.
Joseph was impressive throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp. He caught the attention of Dan Campbell.
“Every year, we get to the end of the year and we look at these guys,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “We say, ‘All right, who developed? Who do we need to keep working with? Who’s got room to grow?’ B Jo is one of those guys who noticeably improved last year. He didn’t get a chance to play in the season, necessarily. We had him up for (two games), but (not) to play defensive reps.
“He’s kind of one of those, boy, you wish you could’ve gotten him up though,” Campbell continued. “There was a comfort level by the end of the year like, ‘Man, this guy we think could probably go in there and hold his own a little bit.’ So, that’s a good sign. There has been noticeable growth from him last year. I would tell you even in this spring he’s improved. He’s a young guy that we like a lot. He puts the work in. He’s smart, he’s crafty.”
Will the Detroit Lions drastically improve their passing defense next season?
