Brian Branch is *this* close to getting back on the field for the Detroit Lions, and coach Dan Campbell isn’t exactly hiding his excitement, or his frustration, honestly. The All-Pro safety, who’s been out since suffering a torn Achilles way back in early December last year, is apparently on the verge of practicing again. Campbell was pretty direct on Friday morning, telling reporters, “He’s close. Yep, he’s close. He’s ready to go. I’m tired of listening to him. So, I mean that in a good way. Man, he’s put in a ton of work, and he looks really good. He’s close.” That’s the kind of update that gets a defense fired up.
The Long Road Back and the New Rule That Helps
Branch’s journey back from that torn Achilles has been a grind, no doubt, but it sounds like it’s paying off. The fact that he’s looking “really good” after such a serious injury is huge. Thanks to a new rule regarding the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, Branch is eligible to return to practice at literally any moment. This is a game-changer because it means the Lions can get him back on the field and into the flow of things without the same old waiting period. Once they pull the trigger and get him practicing, they’ve got a 21-day window to activate him from the PUP list and get him back onto the 53-man roster.
Desperate Times at Safety and a Realistic Return
While Branch has been busting his tail, the Lions’ safety position has been struggling to make do. Kerby Joseph is also still on PUP, and Avonte Maddox is out for the entire year with a foot injury. That’s a brutal hit to any secondary. They’ve been forced to rely on veteran Chuck Clark and fourth-year defensive back Christian Izien to hold things down. Branch’s return isn’t just a boost, it’s a lifeline. In his three seasons, he’s piled up 258 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 38 passes defended, seven interceptions, and three forced fumbles. That kind of playmaking ability is sorely missed.
So, when can we actually see him back in action? He’s not eligible to play until after this weekend’s game against the Carolina Panthers. Theoretically, he could return next week against the Arizona Cardinals, but with the Lions having a Week 6 bye, it makes a lot of sense to hold him back a little longer. That Week 7 game against the Green Bay Packers is looking like a much more realistic target date. Imagine Branch back on the field for a divisional showdown. That’s something to truly look forward to.
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.
Leave a Reply