Detroit Lions Week 3 OTA Watchlist: June 2026
What to expect from LaPorta, Arnold, Branch, & more
Medical news has stabilized for the Detroit Lions heading into Week 3 of OTA. Thus, we have a pretty good idea of the participation expectations for this final week. Let’s review…
Lions Offseason Schedule
OTA: June 9-11
Mandatory minicamp: June 16-17
Lions OTA Participation Update
Kerby Joseph, S - No practice in Week 1 & 2 OTA.
Brian Branch, S - No practice in Week 1 & 2 OTA.
Sam LaPorta, TE - Walk/jog-throughs in Week 1 & 2 OTA.
Terrion Arnold, CB - No practice in Week 1 of OTA. Practiced in Week 2.
Ben Bartch, OG - Likely no practice in Week 1 & 2.
Zach Horton, TE - Possibly no practice in Week 1. Practiced in Week 2.
Miles Kitselman, TE - Possibly no practice in Week 2.
Kendrick Law, WR - ACL tear in Week 2.
Kerby Joseph, S
Left knee injury with last game appearance on October 12, 2025
The lack of participation in OTA was fully expected given the nature of his knee issue - suspected by me and reported by Dave Birkett to be a cartilage issue, as discussed previously in Kerby Joseph Knee Injury Analysis - Part 2.
OTA Week 3 expectations: No practice.
Brian Branch, S
Achilles rupture - December 4, 2025
At 6 months post Achilles, players can be doing controlled sprinting, jumping, and cutting. We have yet to see video of Branch doing that yet.
I’m slightly disappointed that there have been no reports of him working out on the side in OTA. Is this a concern? Probably not, but it might make an early return in September less likely.
OTA Week 3 expectations: No practice.
Sam LaPorta, TE
Herniated disc surgery - November 2025
LaPorta has been doing just walk and jog-throughs at OTA. This is likely (hopefully?) just precautionary to ensure no setbacks. He should ramp up during training camp.
OTA Week 3 expectations: Jog-throughs at best.
Terrion Arnold, CB
Two shoulder surgeries - December 2025
After missing Week 1, Arnold returned for Week 2. His participation at OTA was expected based on his earlier workout videos, and it was good to see confirmation of his recovery.
OTA Week 3 expectations: Participates at least in limited fashion.
Ben Bartch, OG
Lisfranc surgery - December 2025
Bartch may have missed the first two weeks of OTA. While we don’t know the reason for the absence, there is concern here.
He had a season-ending Lisfranc injury in 2025. That’s an injury that can be tricky with an uncertain recovery, which is why my medical concern level for him upon signing was at a 9/10.
OTA Week 3 expectations: Uncertain. If he misses the third week of OTA, then red flags will rise.
Miles Kitselman, TE
After participating in Week 1, this UDFA rookie may have missed Week 2 for unknown reasons.
As seen in my Kitselman Medical Report, he had pec surgery in March 2025 and a possible knee injury during the 2025 season. He was still able to play 11 of 13 games including the bowl, so there was minimal cause for concern heading into OTA.
OTA Week 3 expectations: Uncertain.
Kendrick Law, WR
ACL - June 2, 2026
This 5th-round rookie has had the only known major injury so far in OTA.
OTA Week 3 expectations: Out until probably 2027 offseason workouts.