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Lions Start Training Camp With Both Starting Safeties on Active/PUP

Detroit is using the active/PUP designation to protect long recoveries while leaving open the possibility that a reserve/PUP move at roster cuts would cost players at least four regular-season games.

Overview

  • The Lions announced on Sunday that safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch and tight end Tyler Conklin will begin training camp on the active physically unable to perform list.
  • Active/PUP allows those players to be removed and begin practicing at any time during camp but a move to reserve/PUP at final roster cuts would force a minimum four-game absence.
  • Branch is still recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in December and coach Dan Campbell expressed little optimism about his returning during training camp.
  • Joseph has a lingering knee problem that limited him last season, reports say surgery is not an option, and he posted an upbeat update on X saying he can walk and is feeling less pain.
  • Conklin’s injury has not been publicly detailed and his PUP start creates early opportunities for backups while the team evaluates medical clearances as veterans report for camp later this week.