Lions' Brian Branch: Another interception in Week 7
Rotowire
Branch recorded four solo tackles, an interception and two passes defensed in Sunday's 31-29 win over the Vikings.
Branch continued his hot start to the season in Week 7, snatching his fourth interception of the year, picking off Sam Darnold in the second quarter. The safety has now compiled 32 total tackles (25 solo), four interceptions, 11 passes defensed and a forced fumble over five games in 2024.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Logs full practice
Rotowire
Branch (knee) was a full participant at Thursday's practice.
Branch was limited at Wednesday's practice, but his full participation Thursday indicates the Lions were simply erring on the side of caution. Barring any setbacks, the starting strong safety should be good to go for Sunday's matchup with Minnesota.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Dealing with knee injury
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Monster performance in blowout win
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Full go Wednesday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Getting in practice reps Monday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Downgraded for Monday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Logs full practice
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: In concussion protocol
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Snags interception in loss
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Likely out until training camp
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Impressive rookie season
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Departs Week 18 with wrist injury
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Has huge game at Minnesota
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Leads Lions with eight stops
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Anticipates playing this week
Rotowire
Branch (ankle) said Thursday that he'll play against the Ravens this Sunday, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.
Branch missed the past two games and was a limited practice participant both Wednesday and Thursday this week. He's listed as a safety on most fantasy sites but has taken a vast majority of his snaps as a slot corner and quickly become a fan favorite in Detroit. The rookie second-round pick has 25 tackles (21 solo), four pass defenses and a pick-six in four appearances.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Limited at walkthrough
Rotowire
Branch (ankle) was limited in Detroit's walkthrough Wednesday.
Branch has missed the team's past two games with an ankle injury but is now one step closer to returning to the field. The rookie second-round pick will look to return to action versus the Ravens on Sunday and help slow down Lamar Jackson and the rest of the offense.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Out again
Rotowire
Branch (ankle) will not play in Sunday's game in Tampa Bay, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com report.
Branch's absence will mark his second straight after he was carted off the field in the Lions' Week 4 win over the Packers. Detroit did not opt to place him on injured reserve, so that indicates the team still does not think he will be out much longer. His absence against the Bucs could lead to more opportunities for Will Harris and Ifeatu Melifonwu as depth options at safety.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Undergoes X-ray
Rotowire
X-rays on Branch's ankle returned negative following Thursday's 34-20 win over the Packers, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Branch was forced to exit the game in the first half, though he was ultimately able to return. Both the fact that he returned to the field and the initial imaging suggest the injury isn't overly serious, though more information should emerge in the coming days.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Brian Branch: Back in game
Rotowire
Branch (ankle) returned to Thursday's contest with the Packers, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.
Branch was able to return to the field in the fourth quarter after he was carted off with an ankle injury in the third. The rookie will be back in his starting role at free safety.
