Story by
Isiah Pacheco Injury Update Has Dan Campbell Eyeing a Late-December Return for Lions RB
- Story by
- Isiah Pacheco Injury Update Has Dan Campbell Eyeing a Late-December Return for Lions RB
Isiah Pacheco hasn't played a snap for the Detroit Lions, and the wait for his debut now looks like it will run into the holidays. Dan Campbell said Friday the running back is "progressing well" from back surgery, with December as the target.
"I do think there's a chance we could get him back in late December," Campbell said, per Lions On SI's John Maakaron.
Advertisement
Late December is a long way off, but it lines up with the stretch run, which is when the Lions would want a healthy Pacheco most.
Pacheco landed on injured reserve in September after signing with Detroit following four seasons in Kansas City. Without him, Jahmyr Gibbs has carried the load, including a 29-carry day against Green Bay that showed how thin the short-yardage options are behind him.
Lions' secondary is getting healthier
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) and linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) tackle Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Dec. 4, 2025.Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK
The better news Friday came on defense. Campbell said there are no limitations on Brian Branch going forward. Branch played 45 snaps on a pitch count in his first game back from a torn Achilles and earned a 92.6 PFF grade , highlighted by a fourth-quarter interception of Jordan Love.
Advertisement
Kerby Joseph (knee) is moving slower. He hasn't taken any team reps, but he's responded well, and Campbell expects full practices for him next week , according to The Athletic's Colton Pouncy. He also wasn't at practice Friday , per The Detroit News' Nolan Bianchi, and the Lions officially ruled him out for Sunday, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, with the hope being a return soon after. Safety Thomas Harper, on IR with an ankle injury, could be close, Campbell said.
Getting all three safeties back would matter a lot for a defense that ranks in the bottom 10 against the pass and has trade ideas piling up before the Nov. 10 deadline. For now, Branch is the one Ford Field gets at full speed against the 6-0 Vikings, with Detroit looking to hand Minnesota its first loss .
Pacheco's timeline is the one that stretches furthest. If late December holds, his first carries in Honolulu blue could come in a stretch that decides the NFC North.
Advertisement
Detroit Lions Essentials
Latest news on the Detroit Lions
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
