Detroit Lions Week 2 OTA Watchlist: June 2026
Could we see an upgraded status for LaPorta, Joseph, Branch, or Arnold?
The “Big Three” - Joseph, Branch, LaPorta - as Dan Campbell put it are still on the medical watchlist as we head into the 2nd week of Detroit Lions 2026 OTA. Here is a recap of participation levels last week, along with the expectations for Week 2 of OTA.
First, a reminder of what’s yet to come this offseason…
Lions Offseason Schedule
OTA: June 2-4
OTA: June 9-11
Mandatory minicamp: June 16-17
Quick Player Participation Update
Kerby Joseph, S - No practice in Week 1 of OTA.
Brian Branch, S - No practice in Week 1 of OTA.
Sam LaPorta, TE - Jog-throughs in Week 1 of OTA.
Terrion Arnold, CB - No practice in Week 1 of OTA.
Ben Bartch, OG - Possibly not practicing. Uncertain reason, but my Bartch Free Agency Medical Report had him at a high medical concern level (9/10) due to a season-ending Lisfranc.
Zach Horton, TE - Possibly not practicing. Uncertain reason. I have no record of significant injuries for him last year.
Sam LaPorta, TE
Herniated disc surgery - November 2025
While LaPorta was not fully available for the first week of OTA, he was still active with jog-throughs. This activity, albeit limited, reassures that there hasn’t been a setback and keeps him on track to be ready for the season. There is a pretty good chance he could be doing everything, but precaution is the Lions’ priority in early June.
OTA Week 2 Expectations: The Lions are playing it safe from an injury standpoint. Thus, expect LaPorta to do nothing more than jog-throughs for the rest of OTA.
Kerby Joseph, S
Last game appearance - October 12, 2025
As expected, Joseph wasn’t doing anything in the first week of OTA likely due to wear-and-tear knee management. If the Lions want to max out his chances of making it to Week 1 and through the season, this activity plan makes sense.
OTA Week 2 Expectations: While Joseph could try to test out the knee, there isn’t much point to doing so with still three months until the season opener. Do not expect Joseph to participate in OTA.
Brian Branch, S
Achilles rupture - December 4, 2025
Branch is at the 6-month mark in Achilles recovery and could be doing controlled cutting and sprinting drills at this point. It’s no surprise to see him absent from OTA though, as doing reactive football drills could add unnecessary risk to his rehab.
OTA Week 2 Expectations: No participation in OTA for Branch.
Terrion Arnold, CB
Two shoulder surgeries - December 2025
Arnold’s non-participation was a slight disappointment given that he was already doing “OTA-like” activities on his own, as seen in the Lions May 2026 Offseason Injury Updates. Maybe the Lions are being extra cautious, or maybe there is something else going on.
OTA Week 2 Expectations: Arnold could show up at OTA at any time. Hopefully, it’s this week.
Ben Bartch, OG
Lisfranc surgery - December 2025
The media was only given one day of observation last week for OTA, and Bartch was not visible. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t present the other two days.
The main concern is he is recovering from a season-ending Lisfranc surgery, as noted in my Bartch Medical Report. As a free agent, Bartch got $330,300 guaranteed from the Lions, implying confidence in his health at the time of signing in March.
OTA Week 2 Expectations: Unless there has been a surprise injury or setback, we should expect to see Bartch out there at OTA.
Zach Horton, TE
Media did not observe him practicing on Friday last week. Horton is on a 1-year deal with no guaranteed money. I have no record of significant injuries in his limited action last season with the Lions.
OTA Week 2 Expectations: More (or any) info is needed before setting expectations for Horton.
2026 Lions Rookies
Dan Campbell stated last week that a couple of rookies would be limited at OTA. It’s uncertain who he was referring to, but it seems unlikely to be any of the following rookies who were featured in pictures at DetroitLions.com…
Blake Miller
Jimmy Rolder
Kendrick Law
Luke Altmyer
I’ll keep an eye on further information and pictures of the Lions’ rookies this week.
Colby Sorsdal, OL
A player omission from my Pre-OTA Player Watchlist is Sorsdal, who missed the entire last season after an injury in the preseason. Video was suspicious for a left leg injury.
It’s uncertain if the injury was severe or if he was simply shelved for roster management reasons. Regardless, this former 5th-rounder, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, is active at OTA. Hopefully, this is the start of something promising for Sorsdal, who is still just 26-years-old entering the season.
For an in-depth look at Brian Branch’s Achilles injury…