Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph has become one of the emotional and physical tone-setters on the defense, but a recent medical opinion has introduced some uncomfortable uncertainty about what his future might look like.

During Super Bowl radio row, longtime NFL injury expert Dr. David Chao shared his thoughts on Joseph’s knee situation — and while he made it clear he’s rooting for the Lions safety, his assessment was anything but reassuring.

Why Kerby Joseph’s Knee Has Doctors Concerned

Chao, who spent 17 years as an NFL team doctor and now runs Sports Injury Central, explained that he had heard Joseph was exploring non-surgical options, including stem cell treatment, to manage his knee.

That detail alone raised red flags.

While Chao emphasized that he has not reviewed Joseph’s medical records, he explained that once stem cells enter the conversation, it usually signals something more serious than routine wear and tear.

“This one’s a little dicey,” Chao said as quoted by Lions OnSI. “Articular cartilage is the holy grail. If you could regrow it, you’d win the Nobel Prize.”

He compared cartilage to the tread on a tire — once it’s gone, replacing it is incredibly difficult. Unlike muscles or ligaments, cartilage has poor blood supply, which makes healing unpredictable and often incomplete.

The Jadeveon Clowney Comparison — And Why It Matters

To explain the long-term implications, Chao pointed to Jadeveon Clowney, who underwent microfracture surgery early in his career.

Clowney beat the odds and carved out a long NFL career, but there’s a reason teams have been hesitant to give him long-term deals.

“That’s why he’s never gotten a long-term contract,” Chao said. “Everyone’s always worried about that knee.”

For Joseph, the concern is that discussing stem cells may indicate damage beyond even microfracture-level cartilage loss, which Chao described as a “Hail Mary” territory.

What This Means for the Lions

The most sobering part of Chao’s analysis wasn’t about next season, it was about everything beyond it.

“I hope I’m wrong,” Chao said. “But to say he’s going to fulfill this contract and get another one is a Hail Mary.”

That doesn’t mean Joseph can’t play. In fact, Chao suggested that if Detroit can get one to two more strong seasons, that would be considered a win under the circumstances.

Still, for a 25-year-old All-Pro safety, that timeline is far shorter than anyone would like.

A Critical Moment for Kerby Joseph — and Detroit

For the Lions, this adds another layer to an already complex roster puzzle. Joseph is a core defensive leader, but knee cartilage issues don’t operate on optimism or toughness, they operate on biology.

None of this is definitive, and medicine continues to evolve. But as Chao made clear, once cartilage damage reaches this stage, the margin for error becomes razor-thin.

The Lions, and their fans, will be watching closely, hoping Joseph can beat the odds.

Because if he does, it won’t just be a comeback.

It’ll be a medical victory.

The post Doctor Sounds Alarm on Kerby Joseph’s Long-Term Future appeared first on Detroit Sports Nation.

When Carlton Davis takes the field on Sunday, Feb. 8, it will mark the second Super Bowl appearance of his career.

But in his mind, it should be number three.

Now a key piece of the New England Patriots’ defense, the former Detroit Lions cornerback isn’t hiding how strongly he feels about how last season ended in Detroit, especially considering where the Lions were before injuries derailed everything.

Detroit Was Rolling Before the Injury Bug Hit

Davis was Detroit’s No. 1 cornerback last season and a major reason the defense held together early in the year. Everything changed in Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills, when Davis suffered a broken jaw that ended his season.

At the time, the Lions were 11–1, cruising toward the top seed in the NFC. They eventually finished 15–2, locked up home-field advantage, and looked every bit like a Super Bowl favorite.

Then the postseason arrived, and so did the injury report.

Detroit’s playoff opener against Washington turned into a nightmare, with Davis and four other defensive starters sidelined. The Commanders took full advantage, hanging a season-high 45 points on the Lions and converting three massive fourth-down attempts along the way.

“It Should Have Been Two Straight”

Davis hasn’t let go of that moment.

“It should have been two straight [years I’m here], for sure,” Davis said via the Detroit Free Press. “I think about that a lot. That’s just how the NFL goes sometimes.”

For Davis, it wasn’t about scheme or preparation. It was about availability.

“You got a great team, great coaching staff, great culture,” he said. “But sometimes the team can be — injuries. Injuries, that’s the name of the game. It’s who can be healthiest the longest, and usually the team that wins it is the healthiest team.”

A Defense Held Together by Tape — Until It Couldn’t

Davis wasn’t alone on the sideline.

Detroit’s defense was missing Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Marcus Davenport, Derrick Barnes, and Alex Anzalone at various points down the stretch. All but Anzalone missed the Commanders game, leaving the Lions shorthanded against a Washington offense that attacked relentlessly.

“I felt like I definitely could have helped out if I was playing in that game,” Davis said. “So, yeah, along with the other guys, like myself, Aidan, we had so many guys out. Alim. It was just so many guys.”

That loss still stings, especially knowing how dominant the Lions looked when healthy.

Watching From Afar — and Wondering What If

Now, Davis is preparing for another Super Bowl run with New England, coming off a huge interception in the AFC Divisional Round. He’s doing what elite players do: competing for championships wherever they line up.

Still, Detroit hasn’t left his mind.

The culture. The roster. The opportunity.

In Davis’ eyes, the Lions didn’t miss their window; it was taken from them by timing and injuries. And as he chases another ring, he can’t help but believe that if things had broken just a little differently, he’d be playing in his third Super Bowl, not his second.

The post Carlton Davis Reveals What Cost the Lions a Super Bowl Run appeared first on Detroit Sports Nation.

Jared Goff didn’t hesitate when asked about the Detroit Lions’ decision to hire Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator.

Speaking during the 2026 Pro Bowl festivities, the Lions quarterback made it clear he’s fully on board, and then some, calling the move a “home run hire.”

Goff has already done his homework, reaching out to players who have firsthand experience working with Petzing and diving into film to get a feel for what Detroit’s offense could look like moving forward.

Goff Did His Research on Petzing

Before Petzing ever stepped into Allen Park, Goff wanted to hear directly from people who knew him best. That included a check-in with Jacoby Brissett, who previously worked under Petzing in Arizona.

According to Goff, the feedback couldn’t have been stronger.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to about him prior to him being hired was glowing. In particular, quarterbacks who have played for him were glowing,” Goff said, via the Detroit Free Press. “I think the thing that excites me the most is going to be his versatility. He’s not tied to an offense.”

That flexibility is a big deal for a Lions unit that has thrived by adapting to its personnel rather than forcing players into rigid roles.

“We’re going to kind of run what we’re best at and what we should be doing, which, some of the stuff we’ve done the last few years, that’s worked,” Goff said.

Getting the Ball to Everyone Is the Real Challenge

One theme kept coming up in Goff’s comments: distribution.

Detroit’s offense is loaded with playmakers, and Goff acknowledged that managing those touches is one of the toughest parts of the job.

“And then I think he’s got the right personality and demeanor and teaching ability, and most importantly, his intelligence and mental dexterity, for lack of a better word, to be able to kind of handle not only the complexities of what we’re going to try to do, but, like, getting the ball to guys,” Goff said.

“That’s the hardest part of our offense. We’ve got so many mouths to feed and being able to spread it around in an efficient way.”

That ability to balance complexity with clarity is one of the reasons Goff believes Petzing is such a strong fit.

Expect Some Changes — But Not a Full Overhaul

While fans shouldn’t expect a brand-new offense overnight, Goff confirmed there will be adjustments — especially when it comes to terminology and process.

“Not from the ground up, but it’s always a reconstruction process to some degree,” Goff explained. “Regardless of if it’s the same coordinator or not, you go back, you look at what you were good at, what you weren’t good at, how you’d like to change certain things, whether it’s verbiage or process.”

That kind of yearly self-scout is nothing new for Detroit, but Petzing’s arrival adds a fresh perspective.

“So, yeah, you do all that stuff with him,” Goff said.

Early Buy-In From the Quarterback

Goff also revealed he’s already spent significant time studying Petzing’s offense, reinforcing the idea that this wasn’t just a résumé hire — it was a football fit.

The Lions aren’t looking to reinvent themselves. They’re looking to evolve. And judging by Goff’s enthusiasm, Petzing checks every box Detroit was searching for.

If the quarterback’s early reaction is any indication, the Lions believe they’ve found the right mind to guide an already dangerous offense into its next phase.

The post Jared Goff Explains What Will Change Under Drew Petzing appeared first on Detroit Sports Nation.

According to a report from Justin Rogers, the Detroit Lions thought they had pulled off a sneaky-good move when they brought back Levi Onwuzurike on a one-year deal after his breakout 2024 season. Unfortunately, that plan unraveled quickly when lingering knee issues turned into a full-blown ACL injury, ending his season before training camp even got rolling.

What looked like a clean one-year gamble suddenly felt like a loss, until the fine print of the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement stepped in.

Because Onwuzurike was placed on the Nonfootball Injury (NFI) list while in the final year of his contract, his deal will officially toll, meaning it rolls forward to the 2026 season. A team source confirmed that Detroit will retain control of Onwuzurike under the same contract terms next year.

That’s a big deal for a player who finally put it all together in 2024.

After battling a serious back injury early in his career — including a lumbar fusion that wiped out his entire 2022 season — Onwuzurike finally stayed healthy last year. He appeared in 16 games, made 10 starts, logged 635 snaps, and consistently disrupted quarterbacks, finishing with 28 tackles and 45 pressures.

Detroit clearly believed more was coming, which is why the team re-signed him to a one-year, $4 million deal that could have reached $5.5 million with incentives. Instead, the ACL injury shut everything down before Week 1.

Now, thanks to the tolling provision, the Lions essentially get a reset. Onwuzurike remains under contract for 2026 with a fully guaranteed $1.5 million base salary and up to $500,000 in per-game bonuses, giving Detroit another chance to see if his 2024 breakout was just the beginning.

It’s not how anyone wanted it to play out — but for the Lions, it quietly keeps a high-upside defensive lineman in the building for another year.

The post Levi Onwuzurike Injury Triggers Contract Tolling for Detroit Lions appeared first on Detroit Sports Nation.

The Detroit Lions haven’t ignored their secondary problem. If anything, they’ve attacked it from every angle imaginable under head coach Dan Campbell.

Draft picks. Trades. Free agents. Coaching tweaks.

And yet, here we are again, staring at a cornerback room that still feels unfinished.

That’s why Pro Football Focus analyst Bradley Locker believes the Lions should dip back into free agency this offseason, and why one name, in particular, makes a lot of sense: cornerback Roger McCreary.

Why Roger McCreary Fits What Detroit Needs

Locker’s argument starts with a simple truth. Despite investing real resources into the secondary over the past two seasons, Detroit still has holes, especially inside.

Amik Robertson is no longer under contract, and the Lions don’t have a clear long-term answer at slot corner. That’s where McCreary enters the conversation.

At just 25 years old, McCreary offers something Detroit values: youth paired with experience. Over his four-year NFL career, he’s posted a solid 70.0 overall PFF grade, including a 68.7 coverage mark. Those numbers alone make him interesting, but his 2025 performance raised eyebrows across the league.

After being traded midseason, McCreary finished the year strong, earning a 79.4 PFF coverage grade. He was targeted sparingly, allowing just 6.9 snaps per target—tied for fourth-best among slot corners.

That’s the kind of efficiency the Lions desperately need.

From Second-Round Pick to Free-Agent Target

McCreary entered the league with expectations. The Tennessee Titans selected him No. 35 overall in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, betting on his physicality, instincts, and versatility.

By the end of his rookie contract, he found himself on the move, dealt at the 2025 trade deadline before finishing the season with the Los Angeles Rams. In 14 games during the 2025 campaign, McCreary totaled:

• 37 combined tackles
• Two pass defenses
• One interception
• One sack

Those aren’t shutdown-corner numbers, but they paint the picture of a player who can do a little bit of everything—and do it consistently.

Inside-Outside Versatility Matters in Detroit

One of the most appealing aspects of McCreary’s game is his flexibility. He’s comfortable in the slot, but he’s also capable of holding his own on the outside if needed.

That versatility matters for a Lions defense that values adaptability and physicality on the back end. Detroit doesn’t necessarily need a flashy, headline-grabbing corner. They need someone reliable, durable, and ready to play meaningful snaps right away.

McCreary checks those boxes.

The Bottom Line

The Lions’ secondary doesn’t need another experiment—it needs stability.

Roger McCreary isn’t a perfect solution, but he represents a younger, proven option with starting upside and scheme versatility. If Detroit decides to attack free agency again this March, McCreary feels like the kind of calculated move that fits where this roster is right now.

Sometimes, fixing a problem isn’t about finding a superstar. It’s about finding the right piece.

And McCreary might be exactly that.

The post PFF Names One Free Agent the Detroit Lions Should Target This Offseason appeared first on Detroit Sports Nation.

Another familiar name from Dan Campbell’s coaching tree is on the move.

Former Detroit Lions assistant Tanner Engstrand has landed a new NFL opportunity, as he is joining the Atlanta Falcons as their offensive passing game coordinator. The hire continues a steady rise for Engstrand, whose résumé now includes coordinator experience at both the professional and collegiate levels.

Engstrand’s Path Through College Football

Before reaching the NFL, Engstrand built an extensive foundation at the college level, particularly at the University of San Diego.

He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant before quickly moving into position coaching roles, working with running backs and quarterbacks. Over time, Engstrand earned increased responsibility, eventually serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. His long tenure at San Diego culminated with him holding the titles of assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach — a rare level of trust for a young offensive mind.

That college success led to a brief stop at Michigan in 2018, where he worked as an offensive analyst and further expanded his exposure to high-level offensive systems.

Breaking Into the NFL With Detroit

Engstrand’s NFL break came in 2020 when he joined the Detroit Lions as an offensive assistant. As Dan Campbell took over and reshaped the organization, Engstrand steadily climbed the staff hierarchy.

He served as an offensive quality control coach in 2021 before taking on a larger role in 2022 as tight ends coach and passing game coordinator. By 2023 and 2024, Engstrand had become Detroit’s full-time passing game coordinator, working closely with the Lions’ offensive staff during one of the most productive stretches in franchise history.

His growth mirrored the rise of Detroit’s offense, and it wasn’t long before his name began circulating for coordinator opportunities around the league.

Aaron Glenn Reunion in New York

That opportunity arrived in 2025.

After former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn left Detroit to become head coach of the New York Jets, he brought Engstrand with him. Engstrand served as the Jets’ offensive coordinator during the 2025 season, marking his first full season calling plays at the NFL level.

The move further solidified Engstrand’s reputation as a coach capable of adapting systems, managing an offense, and developing players — experience that proved crucial for his next step.

Why Atlanta Makes Sense

Now, Engstrand heads to Atlanta to join head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offensive staff as the Falcons’ passing game coordinator. The hire reflects Atlanta’s focus on modernizing its offensive approach and adding coaches with both coordinator experience and system versatility.

For Lions fans, Engstrand’s latest move is another example of Detroit’s coaching influence spreading across the league. From assistants turning into coordinators to former staffers being targeted by head coaches elsewhere, the Lions’ coaching tree continues to grow.

At just 43 years old, Engstrand’s trajectory suggests this may not be his final stop. But for now, Atlanta gains an experienced, fast-rising offensive mind — one shaped in large part by his time in Detroit.

The post Former Detroit Lions Assistant Tanner Engstrand Lands New Gig appeared first on Detroit Sports Nation.