Overview
- Coach Dan Campbell said Monday the team is hopeful doctors will clear Pro Bowl safety Brian Branch to start practicing this week and that final medical confirmation is the only hold-up.
- If Branch begins practicing the Lions would trigger a 21-day evaluation window under the NFL’s PUP rules that requires the team to either activate him to the 53-man roster or leave him on PUP for the season.
- Even with a practice window started, staffers and reporters say an immediate game-day return is unlikely and the earliest realistic target for Branch to play is after Detroit’s Week 6 bye, around Week 7.
- Detroit’s defense has struggled through the first month, ranking at or near the league bottom in yards and points allowed, and new injuries to cornerback Rock Ya-Sin and defensive tackle Tyleik Williams have worsened short-term depth.
- Branch’s return would restore a versatile starter who can play deep safety and nickel, but the Lions face a roster trade-off because opening the window and failing to activate him would risk losing his chance to return this season.