Jack Campbell will not play for the Detroit Lions again this season. The All-Pro linebacker was formally ruled out Friday after suffering a neck injury in the fourth quarter of the Week 8 victory over Minnesota. Safety coach Jim O’Neil described the emotional toll of the injury while noting the team’s support for Campbell, who has missed his first regular-season game since his rookie year. The loss leaves a significant void in the middle of the defense, forcing the Lions to rely on veteran Derrick Barnes and rookie Derrick Moore to fill the gap against Miami. O’Neil emphasized that the team is rallying behind their teammate, stating, “Jack’s a monster. He’s going to come out of it,” even as the defense prepares to face a Miami offense without their starting middle linebacker.
Branch Cleared Protocol
Brian Branch has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and is expected to play Sunday. The safety participated fully in practice Thursday and Friday, marking a turnaround from his early-week status. Coach Dan Campbell indicated Branch is positioned to return to the lineup, a critical development for a secondary that has lost D.J. Reed and D.J. Wonnum to injury. O’Neil praised Branch’s versatility, noting his ability to play corner, safety, and linebacker effectively provides the defense with the equivalent of three extra players on the field. Despite receiving a fine for a helmet-to-helmet collision in his previous game, the coaching staff defended his aggressive style, with O’Neil stating, “We’re not going to do anything to change that mentality at all.“
Joseph Progressing Slowly
Kerby Joseph continues to progress in his return from a knee injury but will not play against the Dolphins. Safeties coach Jim O’Neil reported that Joseph looked “awesome” during his first full practice session since being placed on injured reserve. The safety participated in team drills and individual work, impressing the coaching staff with his physical readiness. While the team has no timetable for his activation, Joseph has 12 days remaining in his evaluation window before the deadline to return to the 53-man roster. The Lions have until Nov. 18 to activate him, which would allow a return for the Week 11 home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if he continues to stack practice days.
St. Brown Questionable
Amon-Ra St. Brown remains questionable for Sunday due to a rib injury sustained during the Vikings game. The All-Pro receiver was limited in practice for three straight days but told reporters he feels “all right” despite the lingering pain. He landed on his shoulder during an overturned touchdown play, which may have aggravated the rib area. The team will monitor his status leading up to kickoff, though his participation is not guaranteed as the Lions prepare for a divisional matchup with significant defensive absences.
Trade Deadline Speculation
The Lions are also navigating a trade deadline that has sparked speculation about adding defensive depth, though GM Brad Holmes faces a roster depleted by injury. With Jack Campbell out and Brian Branch just returning, the team has looked at options like Indianapolis safety Cam Bynum and Miami linebacker Jordyn Brooks. Analyst Albert Breer suggested Brooks could be a target if the Lions are willing to put something valuable in front of the Dolphins, though the price would be steep given Brooks’ contract. Meanwhile, the team must avoid sacrificing future draft capital for short-term fixes, with reports indicating they would not want to give up more than a third-round pick in any deal.
This article was created by aggregating Detroit Lions news using Artificial Intelligence.
