Dan Campbell Gives Us Classic Coach Speak on Injury Updates
Before the Lions kicked off their third OTA practice of the week, Dan Campbell took the podium at Allen Park and clearly knew what was coming. Before any reporter could even ask, he dropped a perfectly vague update on safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, along with tight end Sam LaPorta.
“Kerby, Branch, LaPorta, they’re all improving,” Campbell said. “None of them are practicing. That’s the best I can tell you.”
Classic coach speak. The media wasn’t having it.
A Little More Detail, But Not Much
When pressed for actual information, Campbell gave us just enough to keep us from completely losing our minds. Asked if these guys needed to be out there during OTAs when padded practices aren’t even allowed, Campbell made it clear that wasn’t the priority.
“That’s not the priority,” Campbell said. “And it’s not worth all of that anyways. Now, LaPorta’s taken some walkthroughs, jog-throughs. He’s done some of that. He’s not going to be out there today. But, listen, the most important thing is: continue to let them improve, rehab, all that. That’ll take precedence right now. So, they’re in meetings, they’re getting the mental side of this and take it day-by-day.”
Translation: they’re hurt, they’re working on getting healthy, and we’re not rushing anybody back for glorified practice in shorts.
The Injury Rundown
Here’s what each player is dealing with, because apparently we need to remind ourselves why these guys aren’t out there:
Branch tore his Achilles in early December against the Cowboys. Joseph is still dealing with a lingering knee injury that cost him the final 11 games of the season. LaPorta underwent back surgery in November.
Yeah, those are the kinds of injuries you don’t rush back from. Not even for Dan Campbell.
A Couple More Names to Watch
Campbell also dropped updates on cornerback Terrion Arnold and defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike. Arnold won’t practice on Friday, though Campbell called it precautionary without giving details.
“TA probably won’t practice. We have a couple of these rookies that probably won’t do very much,” Campbell said. “And that’s more precautionary.”
As for Onwuzurike, who lost his entire 2025 season to a torn ACL, Campbell likes what he’s seeing but isn’t about to get carried away in May.
“I like where Levi’s at, and I’ll leave it at that,” Campbell said. “He’s working, he feels good. I’m not hyping anybody up, not in May. It’s not worth it.”
Smart approach. We’ve all seen what happens when you get too excited about injury recoveries in the spring.
It’s not much of an update from Campbell, but honestly, what did we expect? The man isn’t going to give us a detailed medical report on every player in May. They’re being cautious, they’re taking it day by day, and everyone is improving. That’s about as good as it gets right now.
Are you good with this cautious approach or do you need to see these guys on the field yesterday? Drop your take below.
