Lions get encouraging news from Dan Campbell on potential return of Brian Branch image
The 2026 Detroit Lions have one of the best offenses in the NFL, but their pass defense is easily the worst. They've struggled at a near-historic rate, and there's not a lot of hope for this defense going forward.
But one key upgrade this team can easily make is the potential return of star defensive back Brian Branch from injury. He's working his way back, and recently, Dan Campbell revealed some great news.
Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press shared that Campbell and the Lions are "hopeful" Branch can come back to practice ahead of Week 5, with Campbell revealing one hurdle left before Branch's 21-day practice window can be opened.
Lions get good news on Brian Branch amid potential return to action
"The Detroit Lions are 'hopeful' injured safety Brian Branch will return to practice this week for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon last December," Birkett writes. "Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday, Oct. 5, the team is waiting for the go-ahead from doctors to open Branch's 21-day practice window."
While the defense as a whole has been incredibly underwhelming for the Lions, the biggest issue is how poorly this secondary has been playing.
Getting Branch back would be massive for the Lions. He's a star defender who can raise the floor and the ceiling of this defense on his own.
MORE: Dan Campbell, Lions players defend DC Kelvin Sheppard after another poor defensive showing
There will still be plenty of issues in the secondary even with his return, but getting him back would be a major upgrade for a defense in dire need of one.
He's been sitting on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list this season, and now that four weeks have passed, he's seemingly close to having his practice window opened.
This doesn't mean he'll actually play in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals, but this is a very positive sign that the Lions might be getting Branch back, if not in Week 5, then in either Week 6 or 7.
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