Christian

Izien

Campbell said that Branch hasn’t had any setbacks in his recovery from a torn Achilles, but wouldn’t put a timeline on the 24-year-old safety’s eventual return. Branch attended practice in a T-shirt and shorts on Thursday. Campbell jokingly set the timetable for Branch to return in December, just so the media would stop asking about it. Christian Izien and Chuck Clark continue to take the first-team safety reps for the Lions in practice with Branch and Kerby Joseph (knee) sidelined.

Izien started 10 games for the Bucs in 2024. He was credited with just one start in 2025 and his tackle total fell from 75 to 25. He did, however, pick up more work on special teams. Izien will likely continue to play a mix of defense and special teams in Detroit.

In addition to Dean, the Buccaneers also ruled out CB Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) and S Christian Izien (quad). Dean is the most notable absence here. Having appeared on 175 defensive snaps this season, per PFF, Dean has been stingy in coverage thus far, allowing just six receptions on 16 targets to go with 43 scoreless yards. Backup corners Jacob Parrish and Kindle Vildor figure to see some extended work with Dean now out.

Dean left the Bucs’ Week 4 loss to the Eagles with a groin injury that now seems to be more of a hip issue. Also not practicing were CB Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) and DB Christian Izien (quad). If none of the trio can practice the rest of the week, the Bucs’ secondary will look depleted against the Seahawks for Week 5.

Vea, 30, has built an extension lower-body injury record over the last two years. He dealt with a recurring calf issue in 2023, a worked through both knee (MCL) and hamstring issues last year. The towering (6'4/347) nose tackle remains a game changer whenever he’s on the field and he regularly plays through injuries. Buccaneers S Christian Izien (oblique) was also sidelined Wednesday.

Izien (5'10/193), who appeared in four games in 2018 and thus preserved a season of eligibility, is expected to compete with redshirt senior Malik Dixon for the starting strong safety spot. “We moved Malik Dixon from kind of a hybrid Nickelback back to safety and Christian Izien is back there and Naijee Jones,” Rutgers HC Chris Ash said at Big Ten media days on Friday. While Dixon may be the oldest of the three he isn’t the most experienced when it comes to the collegiate level, as he did not appear in any games last season after transferring in to Rutgers from Eastern Arizona CC.