Branch (calf) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bears, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports.
Branch opened the Lions' week of practice with a DNP, but he's logged two consecutive limited sessions since, so it appears he's trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's divisional contest. The second-year pro from Alabama has impressed this season, recording 84 total tackles and 14 passes defended, including four interceptions, over 13 appearances. If Branch can play through his calf injury in Week 16, he'll start alongside Kerby Joseph as part of Detroit's top safety duo.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Returns to practice Thursday
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Branch (calf) was a limited participant in practice Thursday.
Branch didn't practice Wednesday, but he was able to participate in a limited fashion Thursday. That bodes well for his chance of suiting up Sunday versus Chicago, though the second-year safety could still head into the weekend with an injury designation, especially if he doesn't log a full practice Friday. Branch is coming off a big game Week 15 against Buffalo, as he logged a career-high 14 tackles in a six-point loss.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Nursing calf injury
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Branch (calf) was listed as a DNP on Wednesday's practice report.
Branch logged a career-high 15 total tackles and played in every defensive snap during the Lions' 48-42 loss to the Bills this past Sunday. However, it appears the second-year safety picked up a calf injury in the process and was sidelined for Detroit's first official practice of the week. Branch will have two more chances to practice this week ahead of Sunday's NFC North clash against the Bears. He's logged 85 tackles (62 solo), 14 pass defenses (including four interceptions) and one forced fumble across 13 regular-season games.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Career high in tackles in loss
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Branch recorded 15 total tackles (eight solo) in Sunday's 48-42 loss to Buffalo.
Branch paced the team in takedowns, compiling a career-high 15 stops in the battle between two high-octane offenses. With Detroit's defense banged up, including the secondary, Branch found himself involved in countless plays Sunday. It's the second time this year that the safety reached double-digit tackles and he's now registered 85 total tackles (62 solo), 13 passes defensed, including four interceptions, and a forced fumble over 13 games in 2024.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Not on injury report Wednesday
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Branch (cramps) does not appear on Detroit's injury report Wednesday.
Branch left the Lions' Week 14 game against the Packers last Thursday early, but it appears he was dealing only with cramps. Since he's not on Detroit's injury report to begin the week, the second-year safety should have no problem suiting up Sunday versus Buffalo. Branch has put up excellent numbers this season, registering 70 tackles (54 solo) and 13 pass defenses, including four interceptions, through 12 contests.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Leads team in stops Thursday
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Branch posted six tackles (five solo) in Thursday's 23-20 win over Chicago.
Branch's tackle total led the Lions in the Thanksgiving Day victory. The safety has recorded at least six stops in eight of his 11 games this season, and he's up to 67 tackles on the campaign -- seven fewer than he registered across 15 regular-season contests as a rookie last year. Branch also has four interceptions on the season, making him a valuable IDP asset at his position.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Ejected versus Green Bay
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Branch logged two tackles (one solo) during Detroit's win over the Packers on Sunday.
Branch recorded his lowest tackle total of the season as he was ejected in the first half due to a late hit. The second-year pro has amassed 40 tackles (32 solo) and four interceptions across seven appearances this season and will look to add to his total Week 10 versus the Texans.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Dealing with knee injury
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Branch (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Branch appears to have sustained a knee injury in the Lions' Week 6 win over the Cowboys, despite playing 49 defensive snaps and recording six total tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble. The second-year pro's participation Thursday and Friday will provide a better indication of whether he can play through this issue in Detroit's Week 7 divisional matchup against the Vikings.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Monster performance in blowout win
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Branch recorded six total tackles (five solo), two interceptions, and a forced fumble in Sunday's 47-9 win over the Cowboys.
Branch was a man on a mission in Week 6, picking off Dak Prescott in both the first and fourth quarters, the latter of which he nearly returned for a touchdown. On top of that, the safety stripped wide receiver Ryan Flournoy in the third quarter, a fumble recovered by teammate Terrion Arnold. Branch has emerged as one of the most dynamic safeties in the NFL this season, compiling 28 total tackles (21 solo), three interceptions, nine total passes defensed and a forced fumble over five regular-season games in 2024.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Full go Wednesday
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Branch (illness) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice estimation, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Branch appears to be past his illness after having more than a week to recover since missing the Lions' Week 4 win over the Seahawks on Sept. 30. The second-year pro has recorded 22 total tackles and seven passes defended, including one interception, across three games this season. Expect Branch to continue serving as the Lions' top strong safety as the year progresses.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Getting in practice reps Monday
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Coach Dan Campbell said Monday that Branch (illness) was back at practice, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Branch missed Detroit's game in Week 4 due to an illness before its bye in Week 5, but that he's participating at practices again signals he has probably recovered by this point. The Lions' first official practice report of the week Wednesday will shed more light on his potential availability for Week 6.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Downgraded for Monday
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Branch (illness) is doubtful for Monday's game against the Seahawks.
Branch was originally questionable for Week 4 due to suffering a concussion in the Lions' Week 3 win over the Cardinals. However, the second-year pro was cleared from the injury report Saturday, suggesting he had made it through the league's five-step concussion protocols. However, now that he's under the weather, Branch's likely absence from MNF will have Brandon Joseph in line to see extra opportunities in the secondary.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Logs full practice
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Branch (concussion) was a full participant at the Lions' practice Friday, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
Branch continues to progress through concussion protocols and by logging a full practice Friday, he's on the cusp of being cleared. The Lions will host the Seahawks on Monday Night Football and Branch appears to be on track to be a full go.
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Lions' Brian Branch: In concussion protocol
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Branch is in the concussion protocol after leaving Sunday's 20-13 win over the Cardinals with a neck injury, Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports.
The starting safety will have to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol to play next week against the Seahawks. Branch played a major role in a stellar defensive effort for the Lions on Sunday, finishing with nine tackles (six solo), including one for a loss, and two passes defensed. Brandon Joseph and Loren Strickland are the healthy backup safeties on Detroit's roster at the moment.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Snags interception in loss
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Branch recorded six total tackles (five solo), an interception and two passes defensed in Sunday's 20-16 loss to Tampa Bay.
Branch was once again very active in Week 2, finishing tied with Jack Campbell for the team lead in tackles. The 22-year-old was also able to secure his first interception of the 2024 campaign, picking off Baker Mayfield right before halftime. Through two contests, Branch has compiled 13 total tackles (10 solo), an interception and five passes defensed.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Likely out until training camp
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Branch recently underwent a cleanup procedure on his lower left leg and will likely be sidelined until training camp, Colton Pouncey of The Athletic reports.
The Lions initially thought Branch's lower left leg injury would heal on its own, but he elected to undergo a procedure so he could rehab ahead of the regular season. However, coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that Branch is progressing well and will likely be able to do some work before the regular season begins, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Branch was recently seen on a knee scooter around the team's facility. The 22-year-old was solid as a rookie last year, tallying 74 tackles (50 solo), including a sack, along with 13 pass defenses, three interceptions, a forced fumble and a touchdown.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Impressive rookie season
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Branch registered 74 tackles including 1.0 sacks, 13 passes defended including three interceptions, one defensive touchdown and one forced fumble over 15 games in 2023.
Impressing at both safety and nickel cornerback as a rookie, Branch ultimately settled in at the latter position despite the Lions spending $6.5 million to bring in C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who was moved to safety instead. Branch ultimately finished the year tied for 12th among cornerbacks in both passes defended and INTs. While it remains possible that the Alabama product could see added responsibilities at safety again in the future, he at least seems to be locked into a key role in the secondary entering 2024.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Departs Week 18 with wrist injury
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Branch (wrist) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Vikings, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.
Branch sustained a wrist injury in the second half of Sunday's game and walked with trainers to the locker room. He had one solo tackle before exiting the game.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Has huge game at Minnesota
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Branch recorded six tackles (five solo) including a sack and a forced fumble, and an interception in Sunday's 30-24 win at Minnesota.
Early in the second quarter, Branch came blazing through the B gap on a blitz and dislodged the ball from the hands of Nick Mullens. That play didn't result in a turnover, but Branch had already achieved that himself in the first quarter with his third pick of the season. The rookie second-rounder is starting to look like he was a home-run pick for the Lions.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Leads Lions with eight stops
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Branch totaled eight tackles (three solo) in Thursday's Week 12 loss to the Packers.
Branch's eight stops led Detroit and were his most since he racked up 11 tackles against Atlanta in Week 3. The 22-year-old has been a fairly reliable IDP option over the Lions' past four games with an average of of six stops per game during that span. Branch has been one of the league's top defensive rookies this year, notching 51 tackles (36 solo) and an interception (which he returned for a touchdown) over nine contests.
