The Detroit Lions came out of their Week 14 clash with the Dallas Cowboys with a big win-one that strengthened their playoff position in a tight NFC race. But the celebration was short-lived.
Safety Brian Branch, one of the most dynamic and versatile defenders on the roster, suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. And just like that, the Lions' already-thin secondary took another major hit.
To help patch the hole left by Branch’s absence, Detroit is bringing in a veteran presence. The team is signing Damontae Kazee to the practice squad, with the expectation that he’ll be elevated quickly to the active roster. It’s a move that speaks to both urgency and experience-two things the Lions desperately need on the back end of their defense right now.
Kazee’s been around the league. Now in his ninth NFL season, he entered the league as a fifth-round pick out of San Diego State in 2017, drafted by the Atlanta Falcons.
He made an early impact, especially in 2018, when he led the league in interceptions with seven. That season, he also racked up 82 tackles and 10 pass breakups, showing a knack for being around the football and making plays in space.
Originally a cornerback, Kazee transitioned to safety early in his career-a move that’s allowed him to stick around in multiple defensive systems. After four years in Atlanta, he had stops in Dallas (2021) and Pittsburgh (2022-24), before a brief stint with the Cleveland Browns this season.
He appeared in just four games for the Browns, mostly on special teams, before being waived in November. That parting was reportedly mutual, giving Kazee a chance to find a team where he could contribute more meaningfully down the stretch.
Now, that opportunity comes in Detroit-and the timing couldn’t be more critical.
The Lions’ secondary has been hit hard by injuries for the second straight season. Rookie corner Terrion Arnold is already out for the year with a shoulder injury.
Kerby Joseph, one of their more reliable defensive backs, has missed the last seven games with a knee issue. And now with Branch sidelined, Detroit’s defensive backfield is running out of proven, healthy options.
Branch’s loss stings not just because of his talent, but because of how the Lions used him. He’s been a Swiss Army knife in Aaron Glenn’s defense-able to line up in the slot, drop deep, or play near the line of scrimmage.
That kind of versatility is rare, and it’s not easy to replicate. But Kazee, with his experience at both corner and safety, at least gives Detroit a player who’s been asked to do a bit of everything during his career.
It’s not a one-for-one replacement, and no one’s pretending it is. But in a league where depth gets tested every week-and in a playoff push where every snap matters-adding a veteran like Kazee is a smart, necessary move.
The Lions are still in the driver’s seat in the NFC North, but if they want to make a real run in January, their defense will need to hold up. That starts with shoring up the secondary, and Kazee’s arrival is the latest step in that process.