The Lions’ defense took a brutal hit Sunday in Week 8, with Brian Branch and DJ Wonnum both leaving after a nasty second-quarter collision against the Vikings at Ford Field.
Detroit’s two defensive starters were hurt while converging on Minnesota receiver Justin Jefferson. Branch got back to his feet, but Wonnum remained on the turf and was eventually carted off after trainers spent several minutes checking on him. Both players were evaluated for a brain injury under the league’s concussion protocol and were ruled out before the second half of Detroit’s 19-15 win.
Wonnum had just been honored earlier this week as NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after his tip on a fourth-quarter field goal attempt by Green Bay.
The injuries kept piling up from there. Early in the fourth quarter, linebacker Jack Campbell suffered a scary neck injury that sent him to a hospital, and linebacker Jimmy Rolder was hurt on the same play with a hamstring injury. On the very next defensive series, starting cornerback DJ Reed exited with a hip injury.
Detroit also lost third-string running back/returner Jacob Saylors to a neck injury and starting center Cade Mays to an ankle injury in the first half. Both were ruled out.
At the time Branch and Wonnum went down, Minnesota led 7-3. The Lions were down 7-6 at halftime after Reed picked off a pass for Detroit.
With Branch out, fifth-round rookie Keith Abney stepped in at safety. Branch was playing in just his second game back after Achilles surgery in December 2025. At defensive end, the Lions turned to second-round rookie Derrick Moore, who has two tackles this season.
The game also briefly sent Amon-Ra St. Brown to the sideline. Detroit’s All-Pro receiver left to be evaluated for a brain injury, but he returned on the Lions’ next possession.
In Other News...
Lions Win Took A Back Seat To One Frightening Jack Campbell Scene
Detroits 19-15 win over Minnesota came with the kind of unease that can linger long after the final whistle. The Lions had already been dealing with injuries on defense during the game, but the biggest concern arrived in the fourth quarter when linebacker Jack Campbell went down and the mood inside the stadium shifted immediately.
Campbell was hurt on a tackle attempt and remained on the turf for an extended stretch before being helped off the field on a stretcher. He was later taken to a hospital for evaluation, turning a hard-fought divisional victory into a night the Lions will remember for far more than the result. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Face Early Trouble In A Game That Could Shake Up NFC North
Week 8 in the NFC North came with a little extra weight for Detroit, and the first quarter against Minnesota already had the feel of a game that could matter long after Sunday. The Vikings got the opening kickoff and immediately had a chance to set the tone, while the Lions answered with some early movement of their own, including a third-down conversion from Amon-Ra St. Brown before the offense ran into a choppy stretch.
The opening frame never settled in for either side, with penalties and missed field goals helping turn what should have been a clean division showdown into a stop-start grind. Detroit needed a steady hand to keep pace in a game with first-place implications, but the early rhythm kept getting interrupted, leaving plenty of tension on the field and even more riding on how the rest of the afternoon would unfold. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Fans Are Already Buzzing About Ford Fields New Food Stand
Ford Fields latest concession addition arrived with a distinctly Detroit flavor on Oct. 25, when Moms Spaghetti made its debut at the Lions game. Inspired by Eminems Lose Yourself, the restaurants food stand brought spaghetti and meatballs, along with the Sghetti sandwich, into the stadium mix through a partnership with Levy, Ford Fields food and beverage partner.
The stand is set to travel with the Lions again for the game in Munich, Germany, giving the team another local touchpoint far from home. It also comes with a community-minded angle, since the volunteer staff working the stand benefits various organizations, which fits neatly with the kind of neighborhood feel the Lions have tried to build around their home games. [Read more 🡒]