Detroit Lions Pro Bowl safety Kerby Joseph remains out with a knee injury and it’s unclear when he’ll return.
Joseph did not practice Thursday, Nov. 20 – the 17th straight time he’s been listed as out on the Lions’ injury report – and he could miss his fifth straight game Sunday against the New York Giants.
Joseph has not played since the Lions’ Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs because of a knee injury. He last practiced Oct. 3, two days before the Lions’ Week 5 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
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.
Khalil Dorsey back
The Lions opened Khalil Dorsey’s return-to-practice window Thursday and have 21 days to activate the cornerback to the 53-man roster or keep him on injured reserve for the season.
Dorsey has been out since injuring his wrist in practice in early October.
He practiced in full Thursday and is one of the Lions’ top gunners on the punt team when healthy.
Safety Brian Branch (toe) and offensive linemen Taylor Decker (shoulder) and Penei Sewell (ankle) returned to practice Thursday after they were listed as out on Wednesday’s estimated practice report.
