Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell was growing tired of hearing star defensive back Brian Branch plead his case for a return to the field. After a 10-month absence, Branch is finally in position to receive his wish this week. As the Lions prepare to host the Green Bay Packers in their first NFC North battle of the 2026 season, both Branch and center Cade Mays are expected to suit up.
"Barring anything negatively happening between now and the game, we plan on playing both of those guys," Campbell said on Monday. The Lions officially opened the 21-day practice windows for Branch (Achilles) and Mays (wrist) ahead of the bye week on Oct. 7. Campbell and the medical staff refused to rush Branch back until they felt he was fully ready. "I told Dan like, 'I'm starving' since I got injured," Branch said. "Just been day by day. Just been working, just been grinding."
Branch, 24, was placed on the reserve/PUP list after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 14 of 2025 during the Lions' 44-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys. His recovery was projected to take eight to 12 months. Even with his return, the Lions will keep his workload conservative on Sunday. "I think that'd be asking a lot to say he's going to play 70 plays, but we do feel like he can handle quite a bit here," Campbell said.
Detroit's defense has given up at least 30 points in three of its first four games, and the secondary has surrendered a league-high 1,487 passing yards. Branch, a 2024 Pro Bowler drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft out of Alabama, feels he is "ready to go." Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard called him "an elite player in this league."
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing