The Lions are reaching a point where Brian Branch’s return could define the rest of their season.
Detroit’s defense has been so uneven, and at times so broken, that the coming weeks may tell the whole story. If Branch gets back in the lineup from a torn Achilles and this unit starts to look functional, the Lions suddenly have something real to work with.
That kind of progress would also make them more likely to be buyers before the November 10 trade deadline. But if the defense still looks like one of the NFL’s weakest groups, then Detroit’s hopes of meaningful contention are basically gone.
That’s how bad it’s been. The Lions still rank last in the league in yards allowed per game and fourth-worst in points allowed per game.
Still, there was at least one encouraging step last Sunday in the win over the lowly Arizona Cardinals. Detroit sacked quarterback Jacoby Brissett five times, held him to 29 completions on 47 attempts, and limited Arizona to 56 rushing yards on 18 carries. The Cardinals are one of the league’s weaker teams, sure, but after the loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Lions had been at a point where just about any offense looked capable of carving them up.
After a sluggish first quarter, there was something useful to take from that performance.
"I thought we were sticky in coverage, very disciplined minus a couple of plays there," head coach Dan Campbell said. "I thought (defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard) and the staff did an outstanding job and the players really responded, man. They took it to heart and tried to do all the little things right, and play with aggressiveness, and just really set the tone for the day."
That backdrop makes Branch’s return even more important. He’s the kind of player who changes how the whole defense operates.
Branch brings man coverage, zone awareness, blitz pressure, tackling, and run support all in one package. Offenses have to track him constantly, and that versatility makes life easier for everybody else around him.
At his best, he’s a difference-maker who can alter the shape of a game.
There’s also a chance Detroit will need him in a different-looking secondary than the one it expected. Kerby Joseph’s mysterious knee injury doesn’t sound like it’s leading to a quick return, if it happens at all. That could leave Branch next to rookie Keith Abney at safety.
Abney is an unusual fit there. He hadn’t played safety since middle school and spent almost all of his college career at outside cornerback.
Detroit first tried him at nickel, then moved him back to safety against Arizona, partly out of need and partly because the unit couldn’t really get much worse. The results were promising: Abney looked solid in coverage and even came away with an end-of-half Hail Mary interception.
Put Branch’s all-around game next to Abney’s instincts and ball skills, and there’s at least an intriguing combination to watch.
The run defense remains a separate issue, and one that has swung wildly from week to week. It looked strong against the Cardinals and the New York Jets, but it was a mess against the Panthers and the Buffalo Bills. Branch should help stabilize that too, if he can settle in quickly enough.
That’s the catch, though. A player coming back from a torn Achilles after sitting out since December is bound to carry some rust.
The injury doesn’t carry quite the same long-term fear it once did, but it’s still fair to wonder whether Branch will have all his burst and explosiveness right away. And that part of his game matters.
Even so, he’s too good to ignore, especially in a contract year. Detroit’s pass rush has actually been excellent, leading the NFL in sacks, which only makes the overall results on defense more frustrating.
If Branch can help pull the coverage and run defense closer to league average, the Lions become a far more interesting team in a hurry. And if that happens, Brad Holmes might even be shopping for a cornerback.
In Other News...
Lions Bye Week Puts Fresh Focus On Roster Needs Ahead
The early bye week has given Detroit a rare chance to reset its roster as much as its game plan, with Brian Branch expected back in the mix and the front office also looking to patch holes created by three players landing on injured reserve. For a Lions team trying to stay ahead of the curve, the pause in the schedule is arriving at a useful time, offering a window to think beyond the immediate week-to-week grind and toward the bigger picture of where depth still needs help.
That is where the college scouting lens comes in, with a fresh look at several prospects who could fit the kinds of needs Detroit may be preparing to address. Smith, Jackson Jr., Tengesdal, Satuala and Borjon each bring a different profile, and the evaluations attached to them range from strengths that pop on recent film to concerns that keep their draft ranges from getting too cozy. With upcoming college games still ahead, the Lions have time to keep gathering information, but the list is already a reminder that the bye week is about more than rest. [Read more 🡒]
Aidan Hutchinson May Finally Have What Lions Fans Have Wanted
Aidan Hutchinsons start to the 2026 season has been solid, if not yet the sort of dominant run Lions fans have been waiting for. He has four sacks and a pass rush win rate that ranks in the 66th percentile, and while Detroits defense has had its share of issues, ESPN analyst Seth Walder still sees a path to Defensive Player of the Year if Hutchinson can take another step and the unit around him gives him more support.
DJ Wonnums emergence may be part of the reason that path suddenly looks more realistic. Hutchinson has praised the way the two edge rushers complement each other and has talked about wanting both players, and the Lions, to keep building on that chemistry. For a pass rush that has often leaned too heavily on Hutchinson alone, the next stretch could determine whether he keeps drawing the kind of attention that turns a good season into a special one. [Read more 🡒]
Amon-Ra St. Brown Was Still Frustrated After Detroit's Blowout Win
Even after a 45-21 win over Arizona, Amon-Ra St. Brown wasnt interested in basking in the final score. Detroit scored on seven consecutive drives, but the receiver spent part of his podcast focusing on his own sloppier moments and the way the offense started before it settled in. For a Lions team that has learned to live with high standards, it was a reminder that a blowout can still leave some unfinished business.
St. Brown credited his teammates for having his back, but his frustration centered on the kind of details Detroit knows can shape bigger games later in the season. He wanted a faster opening and a cleaner all-around performance, then pointed to the importance of finishing strong once the Lions do get rolling. Even in a win that looked comfortable by the end, the message from one of Detroits tone-setters was clear: the standard is higher than the scoreboard. [Read more 🡒]