The Detroit Lions are down to one last practice before they leave for Arizona, and the big question hanging over the week is Brian Branch. On Friday, Dan Campbell made it sound like the safety’s chances of playing against the Cardinals are slim.
Branch has been limited all week as he works back from the Achilles injury he suffered last season. The Lions want him to keep stacking reps, which makes a return after the bye feel far more realistic than a debut this weekend.
That lines up with what defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said earlier in the week. He made it clear he wants Branch involved as soon as the medical staff clears him, but also emphasized that the team has to be smart about the process.
“There we go, bring some life into this deal. There we go.
There we go. Listen, I don't even know the word for it.
I don't. But I mean, how many positions can he play and how fast?
I mean, he's a dynamic player. That is a elite player in this league, which we all know guys.
I'm not telling you nothing you don't know," said Sheppard. "That is an elite player in this League.
But we also got to do right by the player.
"So, just make sure we pick and choose how much, how soon, where, what's best for him right now and just kind of take that approach to it because I'm ready for him to go all 78, however many we play," Sheppard added further. "The Saints’ game that was 90?
Let's go 90, BB. As much of Brian Branch as I could get right now, I want.”
The timing matters because Detroit’s secondary has been one of the defense’s biggest problem areas. The unit has given up too many explosive plays, and opposing top receivers have had too much room to work against the Lions’ undersized cornerbacks.
Christian Izien and Chuck Clark have helped try to steady things on the back end, but the defense still needs a lift.
If Branch does not get on the field this week, the more likely target is Week 7, when Detroit returns from its Week 6 bye and opens division play against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field.
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The timing is what makes it worth watching. Detroit has leaned on the front to steady things when other parts of the defense have been less reliable, and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has already pointed to the lines strong play despite those issues elsewhere. With the group still absorbing new wrinkles and juggling availability, a practice-squad addition can become relevant faster here than it would elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]
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Brissett enters the matchup as Arizonas starter, and his play this season has made him a name worth monitoring around the league. For a Detroit team that has treated quarterback insurance as a real roster priority, the appeal is obvious, especially if the Cardinals eventually decide to move in a different direction under center. Whether the Lions can do more than observe from afar is the lingering question. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Could Need More From A Rookie As D-Line Depth Gets Tested
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Gill-Howard has mainly shown up on offense in the regular season, where his physical style has helped in short-yardage situations. Now the Lions may need that same versatility in another spot if they want to keep their line fresh and maintain some flexibility in how they deploy their front. For a team that likes to mix and match, getting more out of a rookie who can help in multiple ways would be a useful answer while the depth chart sorts itself out. [Read more 🡒]