Branch's suspension has been lifted after he sat out Week 7, per the NFL's transactions log.
Branch was forced to miss Monday's game versus the Buccaneers due to a one-game suspension, but he has the okay to return to action now that the suspension was served. He should fill right back in as Detroit's top safety in Week 9 versus the Vikings.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Won't play vs. Bucs
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The NFL's one-game suspension of Branch was upheld Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Branch was suspended for one game after getting into an altercation with multiple Chiefs players after their game in Week 6, and his appeal of the decision was unsuccessful. In his absence, Thomas Harper projects to start at safety alongside Kerby Joseph in Week 7. Branch should be eligible to return to game action in Week 9 versus the Vikings after Detroit's Week 8 bye.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Set to appeal suspension
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Branch is expected to appeal his one-game suspension, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Branch was suspended for one game after his altercation with multiple players on the Chiefs following Sunday night's 30-17 loss to Kansas City. The safety is set to miss the team's Week 7 matchup with the Buccaneers as a result, unless his appeal is successful and he is granted eligibility to play.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Suspended one game
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The NFL announced Monday that Branch has been suspended one game following his altercation after Sunday night's loss to the Chiefs, which rules him out for Week 7 against the Buccaneers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The Lions have a bye Week 8, meaning Branch will next be eligible to play Week 9 against the Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 2. He played 100 percent of defensive snaps versus Kansas City despite being listed as 'questionable' contest due to an ankle injury, recording a season-high seven total tackles (four solo). As a result of Branch's suspension, Thomas Harper and Erick Hallett will be candidates to handle increased snaps at safety alongside starter Kerby Joseph versus Tampa Bay.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Posts modest numbers in Week 5
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Branch finished with four tackles (one solo) Sunday in a 37-24 victory versus Cincinnati.
Branch briefly left the game due to a leg injury in the third quarter, but he was able to return on the same Bengals possession. His four stops were a season low, but he's been consistent with between four and six tackles in each of his five games so far this season.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Defends three passes vs. Cleveland
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Branch logged five tackles (three solo) and three pass defenses during the Lions' 34-10 win over the Browns on Sunday.
Branch was one of three Lions defenders to play every single snap and was responsible for three of the team's 10 pass defenses against Browns quarterback Joe Flacco. Branch is up to 22 total tackles through four games, and he is on pace to crack 100 tackles for a second consecutive season.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Dominant in win
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Branch tallied six tackles (six solo), including 1.0 sacks, during Detroit's win over the Bears on Sunday.
Branch had a dominant outing during Sunday's blowout win as he matched Terrion Arnold for the most solo tackles on the team in addition to recording one of Detroit's two sacks of Caleb Williams. Branch has now amassed 11 tackles (10 solo) across the first two games of the season and will look to add to those totals during the team's Week 3 matchup versus Baltimore.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Commits costly penalty vs. Packers
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Branch recorded five tackles (four solo) during the Lions' 27-13 loss to the Packers on Sunday.
Branch played all 48 defensive snaps and finished tied for fourth in tackles for Detroit. He was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty early in the first quarter after ripping off Tucker Kraft's helmet and tossing it to the sidelines. That penalty put the Packers in the red zone and led to a 15-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Love to Kraft three plays later. Branch and the Lions will look to bounce back in Week 2 as they welcome in the Bears on Sunday.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Monster Year 2 with Detroit
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Branch finished the 2024 regular season with 109 total tackles (79 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding 16 passes defensed, including four interceptions, and a forced fumble over 16 games.
Branch finished second on the team in tackles, only trailing linebacker Jack Campbell, while the former was also able to intercept one more pass in 2024 than he did in his rookie campaign last year. Branch proved his versatility throughout the season as well, splitting time between safety and slot cornerback. The 23-year-old is off to quite the hot start in his NFL career, and he'll look to take another step up in 2025.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Notches sack in win
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Branch recorded seven total tackles (four solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Monday night's 40-34 win over the 49ers.
Branch was able to secure his first sack of the season, bringing down Brock Purdy in the fourth quarter. Additionally, the 23-year-old produced at least seven tackles for the third game in a row and seventh time overall in 2024. On the year, Branch has now compiled 103 total tackles (76 solo), including 1.0 sacks, a forced fumble and 15 passes defensed, including four interceptions, over 15 games.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Double-digit stops in win
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Branch recorded 12 total tackles (10 solo) and a pass defensed in Sunday's 34-17 win over the Bears.
Branch was able to reach at least 10 tackles for the second week in a row and third time overall on the season. The defensive back has split his time between slot cornerback and safety in 2024, compiling 96 total tackles (72 solo), a forced fumble and 14 passes defensed, including four interceptions, over 14 games.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Returns to practice Thursday
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Branch (calf) was a limited participant in practice Thursday.
Branch didn't practice Wednesday, but he was able to participate in a limited fashion Thursday. That bodes well for his chance of suiting up Sunday versus Chicago, though the second-year safety could still head into the weekend with an injury designation, especially if he doesn't log a full practice Friday. Branch is coming off a big game Week 15 against Buffalo, as he logged a career-high 14 tackles in a six-point loss.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Nursing calf injury
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Branch (calf) was listed as a DNP on Wednesday's practice report.
Branch logged a career-high 15 total tackles and played in every defensive snap during the Lions' 48-42 loss to the Bills this past Sunday. However, it appears the second-year safety picked up a calf injury in the process and was sidelined for Detroit's first official practice of the week. Branch will have two more chances to practice this week ahead of Sunday's NFC North clash against the Bears. He's logged 85 tackles (62 solo), 14 pass defenses (including four interceptions) and one forced fumble across 13 regular-season games.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Career high in tackles in loss
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Branch recorded 15 total tackles (eight solo) in Sunday's 48-42 loss to Buffalo.
Branch paced the team in takedowns, compiling a career-high 15 stops in the battle between two high-octane offenses. With Detroit's defense banged up, including the secondary, Branch found himself involved in countless plays Sunday. It's the second time this year that the safety reached double-digit tackles and he's now registered 85 total tackles (62 solo), 13 passes defensed, including four interceptions, and a forced fumble over 13 games in 2024.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Not on injury report Wednesday
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Branch (cramps) does not appear on Detroit's injury report Wednesday.
Branch left the Lions' Week 14 game against the Packers last Thursday early, but it appears he was dealing only with cramps. Since he's not on Detroit's injury report to begin the week, the second-year safety should have no problem suiting up Sunday versus Buffalo. Branch has put up excellent numbers this season, registering 70 tackles (54 solo) and 13 pass defenses, including four interceptions, through 12 contests.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Leads team in stops Thursday
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Branch posted six tackles (five solo) in Thursday's 23-20 win over Chicago.
Branch's tackle total led the Lions in the Thanksgiving Day victory. The safety has recorded at least six stops in eight of his 11 games this season, and he's up to 67 tackles on the campaign -- seven fewer than he registered across 15 regular-season contests as a rookie last year. Branch also has four interceptions on the season, making him a valuable IDP asset at his position.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Ejected versus Green Bay
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Branch logged two tackles (one solo) during Detroit's win over the Packers on Sunday.
Branch recorded his lowest tackle total of the season as he was ejected in the first half due to a late hit. The second-year pro has amassed 40 tackles (32 solo) and four interceptions across seven appearances this season and will look to add to his total Week 10 versus the Texans.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Dealing with knee injury
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Branch (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Branch appears to have sustained a knee injury in the Lions' Week 6 win over the Cowboys, despite playing 49 defensive snaps and recording six total tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble. The second-year pro's participation Thursday and Friday will provide a better indication of whether he can play through this issue in Detroit's Week 7 divisional matchup against the Vikings.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Monster performance in blowout win
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Branch recorded six total tackles (five solo), two interceptions, and a forced fumble in Sunday's 47-9 win over the Cowboys.
Branch was a man on a mission in Week 6, picking off Dak Prescott in both the first and fourth quarters, the latter of which he nearly returned for a touchdown. On top of that, the safety stripped wide receiver Ryan Flournoy in the third quarter, a fumble recovered by teammate Terrion Arnold. Branch has emerged as one of the most dynamic safeties in the NFL this season, compiling 28 total tackles (21 solo), three interceptions, nine total passes defensed and a forced fumble over five regular-season games in 2024.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Full go Wednesday
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Branch (illness) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice estimation, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Branch appears to be past his illness after having more than a week to recover since missing the Lions' Week 4 win over the Seahawks on Sept. 30. The second-year pro has recorded 22 total tackles and seven passes defended, including one interception, across three games this season. Expect Branch to continue serving as the Lions' top strong safety as the year progresses.
