ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have made the tough decision to give All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph an extra week of rest before heading into the bye.

Joseph (knee) has been ruled out for the team’s Monday Night Football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Safety Brian Branch will miss the game while serving his one-game suspension , as well.

And with D.J. Reed on injured reserve, and Avonte Maddox (hamstring) and Terrion Arnold (shoulder) ruled out, the Lions will be without their top three safeties and two of their top three cornerbacks.

Joseph has been dealing with a knee injury since training camp. It’s continued to creep up, keep him out of practice, and cause him to exit for a spell in two of the last three games.

The Lions have said Joseph is doing and feeling better. But th

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