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ALLEN PARK -- Kerby Joseph will miss his third straight game when the Detroit Lions face the Washington Commanders this weekend. Joseph did not practice this week. And it seemed to be trending toward another absence when coach Dan Campbell said his injured knee wasn’t healing as fast as the team hoped. The Lions initially hoped Joseph’s lingering knee issue would calm down with the bye week. But he hasn’t returned despite getting the extra week of rest on top of back-to-back missed games. Look for Thomas Harper to start for the third straight game at safety for Joseph. Another name to watch is Avonte Maddox. The veteran defensive back was limited to special teams in last weekend’s game. Now, with another week of practice under his belt and a clean bill of health, Maddox could work his way into the defensive back rotation. The Lions also ruled out offensive lineman Miles Frazier (knee), defensive lineman Pat O’Connot (knee), edge defender Josh Paschal (back), running back Jacob Saylors (back) and Joseph. Frazier and Paschal just returned to practice this week after missing all of training camp and the team’s first eight games. They have two weeks of practice left to use in their acclimation periods. They are listing Taylor Decker (shoulder), running back Craig Reynolds (hamstring), offensive tackle Dan Skipper (back), safety Daniel Thomas (forearm), and linebackers Malcolm Rodriguez (knee) and Grant Stuard (foot) as questionable. The good news from that list of questionable players is that Decker is expected to start at left tackle. On top of that, starting right tackle Penei Sewell enters the weekend without a game designation after returning to practice on Thursday and Friday. Sewell, as he expected, is good to go in Washington. The Lions will be working in a new left guard into the starting lineup, so having Decker and Sewell would be a big boost. Kayode Awosika and Trystan Colon are the top options to replace Christian Mahogany. Rodriguez and Thomas are two weeks of practice into their 21-day acclimation window. Paschal was back on the field for three limited sessions this week. The former second-round pick has been out since before training camp, so he might need all the time he can get to get ready for game action. Reynolds has practiced in a limited capacity all week after missing the team’s loss to the Vikings. With Saylors out, look for Sione Vaki, Reynolds, Kalif Raymond or rookie Dominic Lovett to help out at kickoff returner. This post will update once Washington posts its game designations. Jayden Daniels avoided injured reserve and won’t require surgery for his dislocated elbow. But the quarterback has been ruled out.
