Lions 2026 Training Camp Medical Preview: Safety
Health concerns abound in the safety room
Before last season, the Detroit Lions starting safety duo of Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch was the envy of the nation. Then the season happened and the two safeties claimed the #1 and #3 spots on the Top 10 Injury News of the Lions Season.
Now, the Lions defensive coordinator, Kelvin Sheppard, will have his work cut out for him trying to coax production out of a group with major health concerns, aging veterans, and unproven youth. How the safeties perform could determine the fate of the defense.
Read on for why safety is the most medically concerning position group on the entire team.
🟢0-3 Low medical concern
🟡4-6 Moderate medical concern
🔴7-10 High medical concern
(Age at start of season in parentheses.) Click on player name for full medical report if available.
PROJECTED WEEK 1 STARTERS
🟢Chuck Clark (31)
Medical concern level: 3/10
Clark has a recent history of ACL, ankle, and pec injuries, but was healthy last season. His age is a concern and could impact his reliability.
OUTLOOK: Clark is looking like a Week 1 starter based on OTA & minicamp results. If he can stay healthy, we may see him start the entire season.
🔴Thomas Harper (25)
Medical concern level: 7/10
Harper suffered a concussion in early December last year, and then another concussion in late December. He missed just one game for each, but the latter concussion’s impact was curtailed by the end of the season. It’s likely he would have missed at least two games with the second concussion.
This recent history creates uncertainty and reliability concerns heading into 2026. If Harper has another concussion at any point in the 2026 season, he could be forced to sit out multiple games and even go on IR.
OUTLOOK: Harper got a lot of playing time in 2025, appearing in 12 games mostly as a starter. That experience gives him a big edge to claim a starting spot if Joseph and Branch are out.
FORMER STARTERS IN RECOVERY
🔴Kerby Joseph (25)
Medical concern level: 10/10
Those of you who have followed me in the past year know about the serious concerns for Joseph’s knee. It’s strange to say that training camp for a 25-year-old All-Pro could be make-or-break, but that is looking to be the case.
OUTLOOK: Even if things go well in training camp, Joseph will likely have a load-managed role to try to make it through the season.
If things don’t go well in training camp after 10 months of recovery, then Joseph may be placed immediately on IR, ending his season (and likely career with the Lions).
🔴Brian Branch (24)
Medical concern level: 8/10
Branch had a late-season (December) Achilles rupture that will have carry-over effects into 2026. So far this offseason, there has been no indication of a chance of an early return. That means a 10-11 month recovery timeline is likely - putting his return in October-November.
Unlike Joseph, Branch’s return is certain. What’s not certain is what he will look like when he comes back. Achilles ruptures can have residual impacts, as seen with former Lions safety, Tracy Walker.
OUTLOOK: Branch likely starts training camp on PUP and stays there through at least the first four weeks of the regular season.
The Branch-watch would start on the fifth week of the season vs the Cardinals on October 11. That game is right before the bye - the timing of which I like, as it gives him two weeks of recovery after his first action back.
PROJECTED BACKUPS
🟢Christian Izien (26)
Medical concern level: 2/10
Izien has been available in most games in his previous three seasons, but has had numerous soft tissue injuries including oblique, quad, pec, and groin. His young age helps him.
OUTLOOK: Izien has positional versatility at CB and S which is a big deal given the Lions secondary turmoil. The versatility along with his experience and youth will have him make the roster.
🟡Avonte Maddox (30)
Medical concern level: 5/10
Maddox filled in nicely last season with the Lions when he appeared in 14 games. He had a hamstring and illness last season causing him to miss three games. There are reliability concerns as he has a long injury history including pec surgery, toe surgery, knee, and neck.
OUTLOOK: Maddox very likely makes the team given his proven experience with the Lions. His age and health concerns could be a factor though.
🟡Dan Jackson (25)
Medical concern level: 4/10
Missing all of last season with an unspecified leg injury is certainly a concern, but it’s very reassuring that he has been healthy and available throughout this offseason. It’s possible that the injury wasn’t too significant, and he was shelved for roster management.
OUTLOOK: This former 7th-rounder carries an inexpensive contract as he enters the second year of his 4-year deal. The money factor, along with his youth, are why it would be best-case scenario for the Lions if he can emerge as a surprise starter.
🟢Loren Strickland (26)
Medical concern level: 0/10
In his past two seasons with the Lions, he has been available except for a minor thumb injury in 2024. He appeared in nine games total.
OUTLOOK: Strickland’s experience with the Lions will help him, but he’ll need to step up his play as he enters his third year in the NFL.