The Lions have added Brian Branch to the Week 4 injury report ahead of their MNF game with the Seahawks
The Detroit Lions have made an addition to their Week 4 injury report, re-adding Brian Branch due to an illness. He is listed as doubtful to play on Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks.
Branch, who suffered a concussion in Week 3, spent the week working his way through the NFL’s protocols. He opened the week as a limited practice participant, but by the end of the week, he was practicing in full and not assigned an injury designation, indicating he had cleared the protocols. While cleared, he unfortunately has come down with an illness significant enough that the Lions have deemed him potentially unable to play in Week 4.
After making a slight position change from nickel corner to safety, Branch has been sensational in his new role. Through three games, Branch leads the NFL with seven pass breakups, while also securing an interception, and 16 tackles, two of which were for loss.
With Ifeatu Melifonwu landing on injured reserve this week, the Lions could potentially be down two of their top safety options for this upcoming game. When Branch was injured last game, it was second-year UDFA Brandon Joseph who stepped into a starting role opposite Kerby Joseph, and he could be in line to start again if Branch is unable to go. Rookie UDFA Loren Strickland could also challenge to start—his skill set and positional range line up closely with Branch—but he would likely hold down the Lions safety-3 role.
We likely won’t get an update until game time on Monday night, with inactives due out around 6:45 p.m. ET.
