The Lions activated Branch (Achilles) from injured reserve Saturday.
Branch no longer holds any injury designation and appears all set to suit up for the Lions' game against the Packers on Sunday. The strong safety has finished recovering from the Achilles tear he sustained in early December of 2025, just in time for a divisional showdown that could be key in determining the final standings of the AFC North.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Questionable vs. Green Bay
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Branch (Achilles) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers.
Branch was listed as a full practice participant on each of the Lions' three injury reports during Week 7 prep, and there's a chance that he's activated from the reserve/PUP list ahead of Sunday's NFC North tilt. He's nearing clearance to returning after spending the last 10 months rehabbing from a torn Achilles, and his presence would boost a Lions' defense that allows a league-worst 297.4 passing yards per game.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Estimated as full practice participant
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The Lions listed Branch as a full participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.
The Lions did not practice for their first session following the Week 6 bye, but it's a promising sign to see Branch listed as a full participant. He's in the final stages of his recovery from a torn Achilles that he suffered in December of 2025, and he could be activated from the Lions' reserve/PUP list ahead of Sunday's NFC North tilt against the Packers.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Won't return for Week 5
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Branch (Achilles) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Branch returned to practice Wednesday after the Lions opened up his 21-day practice window. The strong safety managed to log limited practice in all three Week 5 prep sessions but is not quite ready to return to the field. Christian Izien will continue to start at strong safety while Branch puts the finishing touches on his recovery.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Returns to practice Wednesday
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Branch (Achilles) had his 21-day practice window opened by the Lions on Sunday, Richard Silva of The Detroit News reports.
Branch was limited in Wednesday's practice, but it was an encouraging sign to see the fourth-year pro back on the field following a lengthy recovery from a torn Achilles that he sustained in early December of 2025. The Lions' secondary has been one of the worst in the league this season, and while Branch's return would be a significant upgrade to the unit, he'll likely need to log multiple full practices before being activated from the reserve/PUP list. While unlikely, Branch's first opportunity to make his 2026 debut is Sunday against the Cardinals.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Nearing return from torn Achilles
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Head coach Dan Campbell said Friday that Branch (Achilles) is close to returning, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
"Close" is a relative term, so it's unclear how close Branch actually is, considering he remains on the reserve/PUP list and has yet to begin practicing. It sounds like that could change next week. The Lions have been relying on Roger McCreary at slot cornerback in Branch's absence.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Back at practice after TC?
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Head coach Brian Campbell told reporters Tuesday that Branch (Achilles) is coming along in his rehab and could return to practice in late August or early September, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.
Branch continues to recover from a torn Achilles that he suffered in December, which prompted the Lions to place the 2023 second-rounder on the active/PUP list to start training camp. He won't play in any of the Lions' three exhibition games, but depending on how his recovery goes over the next month, Branch could be available for Detroit's regular-season opener against New Orleans on Sunday, Sept. 13.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Unlikely to return during offseason
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Branch (Achilles) will most likely remain on the sideline until training camp at the earliest, Eric Woodyard of ESPN reports.
The safety tore his ACL in Week 14 of the 2025 campaign, and while he's on track in his recovery, he has not recovered just yet, per Woodyard. It's also possible that Branch opens the 2026 campaign on the physically unable to perform list, according to Woodyard, citing Lions coach Dan Campbell. Branch recorded 75 tackles (48 solo) and nine pass breakups in 12 games last year.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Likely dealing with Achilles injury
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Branch, who exited the game and was later carted to the locker room in the second half of Thursday's win over Dallas, is feared to have injured his Achilles, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The Lions haven't yet released an official statement about Branch's injury, so for now his diagnosis and status remain uncertain. With that said, if he did indeed suffer an Achilles injury Thursday, the veteran safety could be looking at an extended absence. That would be a huge blow to a Detroit safety corps that was without Kerby Joseph (knee) on Thursday and that had Thomas Harper exit the victory in the first quarter due to a concussion.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Back to full practice Tuesday
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Branch (toe) was a full participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice.
Branch has battled the toe issue for the past week but still played 100 percent of the defensive snaps in last Sunday's overtime win over the Giants. He's ready to go for Thursday's date with the Packers.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Estimated as limited Monday
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Branch (toe) was limited on Monday's estimated practice report.
Branch dealt with some toe issues in practice last week but ultimately played all 82 defensive snaps in Sunday's overtime win over the Giants. He should be fine for Thursday's Thanksgiving bout with the Packers.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Posts six stops in Week 11 loss
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Branch totaled six tackles (four solo) during the Lions' 16-9 loss to the Eagles on Sunday.
Branch played all but one of the Lions' 72 defensive snaps Sunday, and he finished in a three-way tie for the second-most tackles on the team behind Jack Campbell (15). Branch has registered at least six tackles in each of the Lions' three games since the Week 8 bye and is up to 52 tackles (35 solo), including 2.5 sacks, five pass defenses and one forced fumble across nine regular-season games.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Six stops in return
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Branch recorded six tackles (four solo) in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Vikings.
Branch returned to the field for the first time since serving a one-game suspension and played 100 percent of snaps. He had a modest stat line, but he now has at least six stops in all but two contests for the campaign.
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Lions' Brian Branch: On track for Week 9 return
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Branch's suspension has been lifted after he sat out Week 7, per the NFL's transactions log.
Branch was forced to miss Monday's game versus the Buccaneers due to a one-game suspension, but he has the okay to return to action now that the suspension was served. He should fill right back in as Detroit's top safety in Week 9 versus the Vikings.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Won't play vs. Bucs
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The NFL's one-game suspension of Branch was upheld Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Branch was suspended for one game after getting into an altercation with multiple Chiefs players after their game in Week 6, and his appeal of the decision was unsuccessful. In his absence, Thomas Harper projects to start at safety alongside Kerby Joseph in Week 7. Branch should be eligible to return to game action in Week 9 versus the Vikings after Detroit's Week 8 bye.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Suspended one game
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The NFL announced Monday that Branch has been suspended one game following his altercation after Sunday night's loss to the Chiefs, which rules him out for Week 7 against the Buccaneers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The Lions have a bye Week 8, meaning Branch will next be eligible to play Week 9 against the Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 2. He played 100 percent of defensive snaps versus Kansas City despite being listed as 'questionable' contest due to an ankle injury, recording a season-high seven total tackles (four solo). As a result of Branch's suspension, Thomas Harper and Erick Hallett will be candidates to handle increased snaps at safety alongside starter Kerby Joseph versus Tampa Bay.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Posts modest numbers in Week 5
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Branch finished with four tackles (one solo) Sunday in a 37-24 victory versus Cincinnati.
Branch briefly left the game due to a leg injury in the third quarter, but he was able to return on the same Bengals possession. His four stops were a season low, but he's been consistent with between four and six tackles in each of his five games so far this season.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Defends three passes vs. Cleveland
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Branch logged five tackles (three solo) and three pass defenses during the Lions' 34-10 win over the Browns on Sunday.
Branch was one of three Lions defenders to play every single snap and was responsible for three of the team's 10 pass defenses against Browns quarterback Joe Flacco. Branch is up to 22 total tackles through four games, and he is on pace to crack 100 tackles for a second consecutive season.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Dominant in win
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Branch tallied six tackles (six solo), including 1.0 sacks, during Detroit's win over the Bears on Sunday.
Branch had a dominant outing during Sunday's blowout win as he matched Terrion Arnold for the most solo tackles on the team in addition to recording one of Detroit's two sacks of Caleb Williams. Branch has now amassed 11 tackles (10 solo) across the first two games of the season and will look to add to those totals during the team's Week 3 matchup versus Baltimore.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Commits costly penalty vs. Packers
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Branch recorded five tackles (four solo) during the Lions' 27-13 loss to the Packers on Sunday.
Branch played all 48 defensive snaps and finished tied for fourth in tackles for Detroit. He was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty early in the first quarter after ripping off Tucker Kraft's helmet and tossing it to the sidelines. That penalty put the Packers in the red zone and led to a 15-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Love to Kraft three plays later. Branch and the Lions will look to bounce back in Week 2 as they welcome in the Bears on Sunday.
