Branch (toe) was a limited participant at practice Monday.
Branch was once again present on the injury report Monday as he continues to battle a toe injury that's lingered for several weeks. The safety was able to register 10 total tackles (seven solo) and two passes defensed while playing 95 percent of Detroit's defensive snaps in the team's 34-27 loss to the Packers on Thanksgiving, so he's likely on track to play again Thursday against Dallas. Branch will have two more chances to log a full practice before taking on the Cowboys.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Back to full practice Tuesday
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Branch (toe) was a full participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice.
Branch has battled the toe issue for the past week but still played 100 percent of the defensive snaps in last Sunday's overtime win over the Giants. He's ready to go for Thursday's date with the Packers.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Estimated as limited Monday
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Branch (toe) was limited on Monday's estimated practice report.
Branch dealt with some toe issues in practice last week but ultimately played all 82 defensive snaps in Sunday's overtime win over the Giants. He should be fine for Thursday's Thanksgiving bout with the Packers.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Posts six stops in Week 11 loss
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Branch totaled six tackles (four solo) during the Lions' 16-9 loss to the Eagles on Sunday.
Branch played all but one of the Lions' 72 defensive snaps Sunday, and he finished in a three-way tie for the second-most tackles on the team behind Jack Campbell (15). Branch has registered at least six tackles in each of the Lions' three games since the Week 8 bye and is up to 52 tackles (35 solo), including 2.5 sacks, five pass defenses and one forced fumble across nine regular-season games.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Strong performance in Week 10
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Branch recorded seven total tackles (four solo), including 1.5 sacks, in Sunday's 44-22 win over the Commanders.
Branch led the team in stops, and he was able to get to Marcus Mariota twice in the contest, logging a full sack in the first quarter before combining with defensive tackle Roy Lopez to sack the quarterback in the third. The safety is now up to 46 total tackles (31 solo), including 2.5 sacks, while also compiling five passes defensed and a forced fumble over eight games this year.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Six stops in return
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Branch recorded six tackles (four solo) in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Vikings.
Branch returned to the field for the first time since serving a one-game suspension and played 100 percent of snaps. He had a modest stat line, but he now has at least six stops in all but two contests for the campaign.
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Lions' Brian Branch: On track for Week 9 return
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Branch's suspension has been lifted after he sat out Week 7, per the NFL's transactions log.
Branch was forced to miss Monday's game versus the Buccaneers due to a one-game suspension, but he has the okay to return to action now that the suspension was served. He should fill right back in as Detroit's top safety in Week 9 versus the Vikings.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Won't play vs. Bucs
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The NFL's one-game suspension of Branch was upheld Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Branch was suspended for one game after getting into an altercation with multiple Chiefs players after their game in Week 6, and his appeal of the decision was unsuccessful. In his absence, Thomas Harper projects to start at safety alongside Kerby Joseph in Week 7. Branch should be eligible to return to game action in Week 9 versus the Vikings after Detroit's Week 8 bye.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Suspended one game
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The NFL announced Monday that Branch has been suspended one game following his altercation after Sunday night's loss to the Chiefs, which rules him out for Week 7 against the Buccaneers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The Lions have a bye Week 8, meaning Branch will next be eligible to play Week 9 against the Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 2. He played 100 percent of defensive snaps versus Kansas City despite being listed as 'questionable' contest due to an ankle injury, recording a season-high seven total tackles (four solo). As a result of Branch's suspension, Thomas Harper and Erick Hallett will be candidates to handle increased snaps at safety alongside starter Kerby Joseph versus Tampa Bay.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Posts modest numbers in Week 5
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Branch finished with four tackles (one solo) Sunday in a 37-24 victory versus Cincinnati.
Branch briefly left the game due to a leg injury in the third quarter, but he was able to return on the same Bengals possession. His four stops were a season low, but he's been consistent with between four and six tackles in each of his five games so far this season.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Defends three passes vs. Cleveland
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Branch logged five tackles (three solo) and three pass defenses during the Lions' 34-10 win over the Browns on Sunday.
Branch was one of three Lions defenders to play every single snap and was responsible for three of the team's 10 pass defenses against Browns quarterback Joe Flacco. Branch is up to 22 total tackles through four games, and he is on pace to crack 100 tackles for a second consecutive season.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Dominant in win
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Branch tallied six tackles (six solo), including 1.0 sacks, during Detroit's win over the Bears on Sunday.
Branch had a dominant outing during Sunday's blowout win as he matched Terrion Arnold for the most solo tackles on the team in addition to recording one of Detroit's two sacks of Caleb Williams. Branch has now amassed 11 tackles (10 solo) across the first two games of the season and will look to add to those totals during the team's Week 3 matchup versus Baltimore.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Commits costly penalty vs. Packers
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Branch recorded five tackles (four solo) during the Lions' 27-13 loss to the Packers on Sunday.
Branch played all 48 defensive snaps and finished tied for fourth in tackles for Detroit. He was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty early in the first quarter after ripping off Tucker Kraft's helmet and tossing it to the sidelines. That penalty put the Packers in the red zone and led to a 15-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Love to Kraft three plays later. Branch and the Lions will look to bounce back in Week 2 as they welcome in the Bears on Sunday.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Monster Year 2 with Detroit
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Branch finished the 2024 regular season with 109 total tackles (79 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding 16 passes defensed, including four interceptions, and a forced fumble over 16 games.
Branch finished second on the team in tackles, only trailing linebacker Jack Campbell, while the former was also able to intercept one more pass in 2024 than he did in his rookie campaign last year. Branch proved his versatility throughout the season as well, splitting time between safety and slot cornerback. The 23-year-old is off to quite the hot start in his NFL career, and he'll look to take another step up in 2025.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Notches sack in win
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Branch recorded seven total tackles (four solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Monday night's 40-34 win over the 49ers.
Branch was able to secure his first sack of the season, bringing down Brock Purdy in the fourth quarter. Additionally, the 23-year-old produced at least seven tackles for the third game in a row and seventh time overall in 2024. On the year, Branch has now compiled 103 total tackles (76 solo), including 1.0 sacks, a forced fumble and 15 passes defensed, including four interceptions, over 15 games.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Double-digit stops in win
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Branch recorded 12 total tackles (10 solo) and a pass defensed in Sunday's 34-17 win over the Bears.
Branch was able to reach at least 10 tackles for the second week in a row and third time overall on the season. The defensive back has split his time between slot cornerback and safety in 2024, compiling 96 total tackles (72 solo), a forced fumble and 14 passes defensed, including four interceptions, over 14 games.
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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.
