DETROIT – Detroit Lions star safety Brian Branch missed the game against the Panthers this weekend, and he could be in danger of missing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, too.
Branch hurt his ankle in Detroit’s win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 4. He was originally carted off the field, but then walked back to the sideline and even re-entered the game.
Branch went down again in the fourth quarter when he tried to plant on his bad ankle. He went to the sidelines under his own power, but did not return to the game.
On Sunday, he was inactive as the Lions hosted the Panthers. Head coach Dan Campbell was asked Monday whether Branch will miss at least one more game.
“It’s tough to say,” Campbell said. “I don’t know. I really don’t know. Basically, today, it looked a little bit better, but a couple of things here or there when he moves a certain way, going this direction, you know, it’s still -- it’s just tough. It’s, ‘How quick can he heal?’”
The fact that Branch is still experiencing discomfort when he makes certain movements doesn’t seem to bode well for his availability this week. Even though the Buccaneers are a first-place team, the Lions will prioritize Branch’s long-term health, especially since cornerback Emmanuel Moseley tore his ACL and is now out for the season.
The Lions are also without safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson for the rest of the regular season, so they can’t afford to lose another starting defensive back.
Branch picked off a Patrick Mahomes pass and returned it for a touchdown in his NFL debut and then made 11 solo tackles in the win over the Atlanta Falcons. The second-round pick has already established himself as one of the best players on the team.