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.
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.
The Lions placed Branch on the physically unable to perform list to start the season. Once players on the PUP list return to practice, teams have three weeks to activate them to the 53-man roster or keep them on the list for the rest of the season.
The Lions (2-2) return to practice Wednesday ahead of this week's game against the Arizona Cardinals. They have a bye
next week, which likely would put Branch in line to make his season debut Oct. 25 against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field.
"We have not gotten confirmation from the doctor yet," Campbell said. "That’s the only thing we’re waiting for on Branch. I think it looks really good that he’s going to practice this week."
Branch has not played or practiced since he tore the Achilles tendon in his right leg Dec. 4 trying to break up a pass in the end zone in a Week 14 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
The Lions have struggled defensively without Branch and fellow starting safety Kerby Joseph in the lineup. They lost three of their final four games after Branch's injury and missed the playoffs last year, and this year they rank last in the NFL in pass defense and points allowed.
Branch, a second-round pick out of Alabama in 2023, has seven interceptions and 4½ sacks in 43 career games. He made the Pro Bowl in his last full season, 2024.
Campbell indicated cornerback Rock Ya-Sin could miss time with the hamstring injury he suffered in Sunday night's loss to the Carolina Panthers.
"I don’t think Rock looks good right now," he said.
And he called defensive tackle Tyleik Williams "touch and go" and "day-to-day" with the lower leg injury he appeared to suffer against the Panthers.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Brian Branch injury update: Lions S 'hopeful' to return to practice
