Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard couldn’t hide his excitement after watching Brian Branch practice just once following his 10-month rehab from an Achilles tear. He actually joked with the media on Thursday, asking, “How many positions can he play and how fast?” And while that was a bit of a laugh, Sheppard was dead serious about one thing: Detroit’s Pro Bowl safety looked so locked in and ready on Wednesday, he believes Branch could literally play a game on Thursday if cleared.
Sheppard’s Jaw Dropped, But The Docs Are Still In Charge
“If we were playing tonight, it would be realistic,” Sheppard declared. “Like, this dude,it’s like he hadn’t been out. I’m serious. It literally looks like he hasn’t been out. It’s unbelievable.” The level of readiness is unreal, but Sheppard is staying smart. He’s going to lean hard on Director of Player Health Brett Fisher, Head Trainer Mike Sundeen, and the medical staff. Whatever they say, whether it’s 20 plays, 30, or 50, he’ll lock it in. He definitely wants it to be 60, but he’s ready to roll with their expert advice. It would be pretty wild to throw Branch into the starting lineup after just three practices, considering he hasn’t been on the field since early December. Sheppard even admitted they need to do right by the player, ensuring they pick and choose how much, how soon, and where he plays for his best interest right now. The Lions have been super conservative with Branch’s rehab all along, making sure he was absolutely ready before even getting back to practice.
Branch Feels It, And The Defense Is About To Feel It Too
Branch himself has been eager to get back out there, but he said Wednesday he totally appreciates them keeping both his short and long-term health in mind. That said, he feels like only a couple of things stand between him and playing time on Sundays. “Just catching my wind. That’s the only hurdle, I feel like,” Branch explained. “Catching my wind and contact with each other. Just getting more contact with each other. Yeah, more one-on-ones.” When Branch does finally return, he’s going to have a HUGE impact on the Lions’ bottom-ranked defense. His presence isn’t just going to boost a safety group that’s struggled through four weeks; Detroit believes his playmaking and discipline will have a massive trickle-down effect. Coach Dan Campbell echoed that sentiment this week, calling him “an instinctive, aware player and he’s a violent player.” Campbell added that Branch “has a knack for the football and his production, even if it’s not what it was in the immediate as he grows back to that will have an impact, I believe. And then with that, then it helps the guys around him. It makes the guys next to him better because this guy will be where he’s” supposed to be.
So, when are we going to see this dude back on the field? That’s the question everyone’s asking. The Lions are playing it smart, making sure Branch is 100% for the long haul. But make no mistake, that bottom-ranked defense is desperate for his playmaking, and his return could be exactly the spark they need to turn things around. Get ready for some serious impact, because it sounds like Branch is coming back with a vengeance.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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