Detroit Lions may see defensive reinforcements after Bills game
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 17, 2026, 1:15 PM
Last updated Sep 17, 2026
The Detroit Lions face the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night, with two key defensive players nearing potential returns to practice. Safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are on Reserve/PUP but can open 21-day practice windows after Week 2. While Branch’s rehabilitation from a torn Achilles shows promise for a return around early October, Joseph's knee injury remains a concern, lacking a clear timeline. Opening their practice windows will not allow them to play until Week 5 at the earliest, but it represents progress in their recoveries.
- •Lions face Bills on September 17.
- •Branch and Joseph on Reserve/PUP must miss first four games.
- •Branch's return timeline projected for October.
- •Joseph's knee injury remains uncertain for return.
- •Opening practice windows does not allow game play until Week 5.
- 1:15 PMYahoo Sports — Detroit Lions Could Get Massive Defensive Reinforcements After Bills Game
"Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph become eligible to open 21-day practice windows after Week 2, though neither can play until Week 5.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NFL•Sep 17, 2026, 2:25 PMCJ Stroud’s comments on Texans’ trade acquisition are encouraging
NFL•Sep 17, 2026, 2:16 PMJosh Allen carries the ball, the jokes, and the Buffalo Bills
NFL•Sep 17, 2026, 2:00 PMQuestion of the Day: Will the Chicago Bears break the scoring record?
NFL•Sep 17, 2026, 1:58 PMSource: Texans star Collins injures hamstring, uncertain to play Week 2
NFL•Sep 17, 2026, 1:45 PMEverything Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. said ahead of Week 2's matchup vs.Bengals
NFL•Sep 17, 2026, 1:45 PM3 potential X-factors on the Bills offense vs. Lions in Week 2