At long last, the Detroit Lions (3-2) get two of their top stars back.
A second-round pick out of Alabama in 2023, Lions safety Brian Branch was activated off the physically unable to perform list on Saturday. Starting center Cade Mays was also activated off injured reserve.
Both of these were expected moves, but it's terrific news for Detroit that there were no late setbacks and both Branch and Mays are officially active for Sunday's key date against the Green Bay Packers (4-2).
DB Brian Branch has been activated from Reserve/PUP and C Cade Mays has been activated from Reserve/Injured.
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 24, 2026
Branch and Mays have been removed from the Game Status Report. pic.twitter.com/UomQjIgAKw
Branch suffered a torn Achilles in his right leg last December against
the Dallas Cowboys. The 6-foot, 203-pound safety was a Pro Bowler in 2024 as he racked up 103 tackles, 16 passes defensed, four interceptions, and one sack.
In Branch's career, the fourth-year pro has appeared in 43 games and started 37, totaling 258 tackles, 38 passes defensed, 20 tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits, seven interceptions, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Branch's return figures to be a major lift for a Lions defense that ranks last in the NFL in both total defense (404.4 yards per game) and passing defense (297.4 passing yards per game).
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said to begin the week that he thought it would be asking a lot to expect Branch to go play 70 snaps in his first game back in more than 10 months.
"We haven’t given a rep count or anything like that. It’s going to be more of a feel thing as the game goes and we’ll pick and choose what’s right and what’s not," Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said of Branch's potential workload on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Mays is set to make his first start at center for Detroit. The Lions' biggest offseason free agency acquisition, Mays signed a three-year $25 million contract with Detroit in March.
The 6-foot-6, 325-pound center played in 52 games with the Carolina Panthers and started 27, including 12 starts in 2025. Out of Tennessee, Mays didn't give up a sack over 726 snaps and had a 94.3% run block win rate that ranked among the top 20 centers in the league.
For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions activate Brian Branch, Cade Mays ahead of Packers game
