Brian

Branch

Both of the Lions’ starting safeties, Joseph and Brian Branch (Achilles), are rehabbing significant injuries. While it would be great to get one or both of them back on the field this spring, Campbell does not want to hurry his injured stars back and risk re-injury. Late in April, Lions general manager Brad Holmes said both safeties are “trending in the right direction.” However, last we heard, Branch was not expected to be ready to play in Week 1. Joseph will likely sit out spring practices, but seemingly has a chance to participate in training camp. Stay tuned.

Branch suffered a torn Achilles in Week 14 of last season. It was reported by The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy back in March that Branch isn’t expected to be ready by Week 1 of this upcoming season, but it’s an encouraging sign that Holmes likes how the star safety is trending. Regarding Joseph, the fifth-year safety appeared in just six games last season due to a knee injury and suffered setbacks in his recovery, resulting in a prolonged absence. Holmes said the team’s decision not to draft a safety ultimately had more to do with their board than the health of either safety, but he seems optimistic about their long-term availability for this upcoming season.

It’s not a major surprise given a Week 14 torn Achilles. Pouncy projects Thomas Harper as a stopgap starter while Branch recovers.

The Titans traded McCreary to the Rams in late October last year. He spent the prior three-plus seasons with the Titans, who drafted him as a second-round pick in 2022. He primarily lined up as a perimeter cornerback during his rookie season before transitioning to a slot-heavy role after that. He logged just three perimeter snaps last year, while lining up over the slot 297 times and in the box 49 times. PFF credits him with one interception, one forced incompletion, 28 solo tackles, four quarterback pressures and one sack in 2025. Although Lions S Brian Branch contributes as a slot-coverage defender, the Lions lost starting slot CB Amik Robertson in free agency. McCreary is a candidate to earn the starting slot cornerback role this season.

The worst was confirmed on Friday, just hours after earlier reports said that the Lions feared an Achilles injury for Branch. The third-year safety will now miss the remainder of the season as he looks to undergo surgery and rehab to be ready in time for the start of next season. Branch appeared in 12 games for the Lions this season, totaling 75 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and nine pass breakups. He will enter 2026 in the final year of his rookie contract.

Pelissero didn’t speculate on the severity of Branch’s Achilles injury, but said the star safety “will have further tests this morning.” We tend to know where things go from here, but we’ll let them play out and hope for the best. Branch was injured in the fourth quarter on a play that took place in the end zone and remained down for several minutes while being tended to by the training staff. He eventually made his way to the sideline with help and was later carted to the locker room. Branch has started all 12 games he’s appeared in this season for the Lions, totaling 75 tackles. 2.5 sacks, and nine pass breakups. Veteran Avonte Maddox is in line to replace Branch while for however long he is out.

Joseph hasn’t played since October 12. We appreciate how good Joseph is and understand that the Lions would rather have him out there if at all possible, but there’s literally an injured reserve for this sort of thing. Brian Branch (toe/ankle) got in a full session today to upgrade over a Monday limited, and Terrion Arnold (concussion) remained limited and may be trying to clear protocol tomorrow to make the active line.

The Lions’ difference-making defensive back will be on the field when his team takes on the Jameis Winston-led Giants. Lions CB Terrion Arnold (concussion) will not play. The unit is a decent bet to record one or more interceptions for D/ST purposes.

The Lions’ banged-up secondary does not need to lose another player. Branch’s return was needed. Hopefully, the impactful safety can resume practicing fully on Friday. The Lions face the Giants in Week 12. Lions CB Terrion Arnold (concussion) remains sidelined.

Cornerback Terrion Arnold remains on the sidelines while in the league’s concussion protocol. Per usual, the Lions are banged up on defense. Losing Branch in addition to Arnold, who looks unlikely to play this week, would be a big blow to the unit. Branch has five pass breakups, 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble this year.