It’s looking more and more like the Detroit Lions could be without Pro Bowl safety Kerby Joseph until after Thanksgiving.
Joseph did not practice Thursday, Nov. 20, and is expected to miss his fifth straight game Sunday when the Lions host the New York Giants at Ford Field.
Joseph has not played since the Lions’ Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs because of a bone bruise in his knee. He also dealt with a knee injury in training camp.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said this week Joseph is improving, but the Lions play two games in a five-day span – Sunday against the Giants and next Thursday on Thanksgiving against the Green Bay Packers.
Typically, the Lions have a modified schedule on short weeks, with limited practice time making it difficult for players to return after extended absences.
Cornerback Terrion Arnold also did not take part in the open portion of practice Thursday.
Arnold remains in concussion protocol and likely will miss his second straight game Sunday.
Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard indicated he sees a role for Rock Ya-Sin in the cornerback rotation once Arnold and D.J. Reed return.
Ya-Sin has played well in three starts this year and had six tackles and one pass breakup in last week’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
“A guy like Rock Ya-Sin, should we just pull him off the field?” Sheppard said. “That’s something I asked the whole DB room, ‘Y’all tell me, if you were doing what he’s done, should we just snatch him off the field?’
Reed, who has been on injured reserve since straining his hamstring in a Week 4 win over the Cleveland Browns, could be activated as soon as Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Kerby Joseph injury report: Detroit Lions S likely out 2 more games
