With the Detroit Lions in the midst of OTAs, head coach Dan Campbell met with the media and addressed a number of topics.
That included the Lions‘ group of injured stars: tight end Sam LaPorta and safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. Campbell confirmed that the trio weren’t taking part in Lions OTAs.
“That’s not the priority. And it’s not worth all that anyway. Now LaPorta has taken some walkthrough, jog through, he’s done some of that. He’s not going to be out there today…
“Listen, the most important thing is continuing to let them improve, rehab, all that. That’ll take precedence right now. So, they’re in meetings. They’re getting the mental side of this and just take it day-to-day,” Campbell said.
Joseph missed the final 11 games of last season with a degenerative condition in his knee, while Branch and LaPorta suffered their own season-ending injuries.
Branch tore the Achilles tendon in his right leg late in December in a win over the Cowboys. Meanwhile, LaPorta suffered a herniated disc in his back in November that required surgery.
All three have been standouts for Detroit. Branch was a Pro Bowler and Joseph was a first-team All-Pro in 2024. Jospeh had nine interceptions during that 2024 campaign, while Branch added four. LaPorta set the rookie receptions mark for a tight end in 2023 and has registered 186 grabs for 2,104 yards and 20 touchdowns in his three-season career thus far.
Joseph inked a four-year, $86 million contract extension with Detroit ahead of last season that ties him to the Lions through the 2029 NFL season.
The Lions just completed a contract extension with star linebacker Jack Campbell, paving the way for the franchise to perhaps finalize long-term deals with both Branch and LaPorta.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Dan Campbell updates Detroit Lions’ key injuries
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