Lions safeties Branch, Joseph expected to return after PUP stints

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is hopeful starting safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch will return this season, despite neither player having participated in any preseason action or practices throughout training camp.

Branch (Achilles) and Joseph (knee) were placed on the Reserve/PUP list on Sunday and will miss at least the first four games of the season as a result of the designation.

"We still have confidence that they can come back, you just can't really give an exact timeline," Holmes said on Wednesday. "But, yeah, they're both here, they're rehabbing, they're working hard, just can't offer a timeline but yeah, the hope is to have both of them back soon."