KANSAS CITY – The Detroit Lions are dealing with a number of injuries in their secondary, especially at cornerback, but they get some good news Sunday as safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch are both active and will play tonight against the Chiefs after being listed as questionable on Friday's injury report.
Joseph has been dealing with a knee injury most of the season but has been able to play through it and play at a high level, leading the Lions with three interceptions. Branch has also been one of Detroit's best players on defense, totaling 26 tackles (19 solo), five passes defended, four tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.
Detroit was already going to be without starting outside corners Terrion Arnold (hamstring) and D.J. Reed (hamstring). Reed is on IR and Arnold was ruled out on Friday's injury report. Detroit will also be without reserve defensive back Avonte Maddox, who was downgraded from questionable to out Saturday afternoon with a hamstring injury.
The team also downgraded left tackle Taylor Decker from questionable to out on Saturday. Second-year tackle Giovanni Manu started in place of Decker last week but was placed on IR this week with a knee injury. Veteran Dan Skipper could get the start at left tackle after being signed to the active roster from the practice squad this week. Skipper has started at left tackle for the Lions before.
It's likely Amik Robertson and Rock Ya-Sin start on the outside at cornerback. The Lions have multiple options to play the nickel with their reserve cornerbacks.
Head coach Dan Campbell said this week he'll need the front seven on defense to play well and make up for some of the absences of starters in the secondary.
"Those guys are going to have to pick up the slack in some areas and reduce some stress off the backend just to help out," he said. "And they'll be expected to and they will."
Joining Arnold, Maddox and Decker on Detroit's inactive list tonight are running back Sione Vaki (groin), linebacker Zach Cunningham (hamstring), defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo and safety Loren Strickland.
