Brian

Branch

The Lions are at their best when the offensive line is in good health. Mays missed multiple games early in the year with a wrist injury. He is now sidelined by an ankle injury. Hopefully, he can resume practicing before long. Lions S Kerby Joseph (knee) and S Brian Branch (hip) were both limited.

Brutal. Mays returned from injured reserve in Week 7 due to a preseason wrist injury. He injured his ankle in Week 8. The Lions ruled out S Kerby Joseph (knee) and CB D.J. Reed (hip), yet S Brian Branch (concussion) will play.

Branch tried to spear a Vikings ball carrier with his helmet but hit teammate DJ Wonnum in the head. Wonnum was later carted off with a head injury and Branch was able to leave to field under his own power. It would be a surprise if Branch returned to the ballgame.

The team also activated center Cade Mays from the reserve/injured list. Week 7 will be the first game of the year for both players. Branch tore his Achilles in Week 14 last year and has been out ever since. Currently in last place in the NFC North, the Lions desperately needed this infusion of talent to get their season back on track.

After three full sessions this week, Branch is expected to be activated off reserve/PUP and should have no snap count per DC Kelvin Sheppard. He can be welcomed back to IDP lineups.

He seems likely to be activated off injured reserve after getting the Week 6 bye to get acclimated. Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard has said that Branch will not be on a snap count.

Mays and S Brian Branch (Achilles) are not yet ready to return from their injuries. Starting CB Rock Ya-Sin (hamstring) has been ruled out as well, and DL Tyleik Williams (foot) is questionable to play.

Branch has officially resumed practicing, but he has a 21-day practice window to bring himself up to speed. The team has handled Branch’s recovery responsibly thus far. He is unlikely to be rushed out there, no matter how poorly the Lions’ defense is playing. We do not expect him to face the Cardinals in Week 5.

Branch is still on the PUP list after tearing his Achilles last season. Lions HC Dan Campbell said Branch was close to returning to practice on Friday, though he wouldn’t disclose when exactly the Lions will open the 21-day practice window for the 24-year-old safety. According to Pelissero, there’s a really good chance Branch returns to practice next week. He’ll undoubtedly help a Lions pass defense that has been torn to shreds in the first three weeks of the season.

Campbell didn’t say when he expects Branch to return, but said the fourth-year safety “looks really good” as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles he suffered in Week 14 last season. The Lions haven’t opened Branch’s 21-day window for return, which will be the first sign that he’s nearing a comeback. Branch totaled 75 tackles, five TFLs, and 2.5 sacks for the Lions in 12 games last season and will be a welcome addition to a secondary that has allowed the most passing yards in the league through the first three weeks.