Lions' Maddox needs season-ending foot surgery, another setback for secondary missing Joseph, Branch

Updated Sep. 21, 2026 1:22 p.m. ET

Associated Press

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Detroit Lions safety Avonte Maddox needs season-ending foot surgery, another setback for a secondary that is missing injured safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch.

“That hurts,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday.

Maddox was injured Thursday night in a 41-31 loss at Buffalo. The 30-year-old has started games in each of his nine NFL seasons. He is in his second year with the Lions after playing in Philadelphia for seven seasons.

Joseph and Branch are out indefinitely.

Detroit (1-1) hosts the New York Jets (1-1) on Sunday.

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