The Detroit Lions are dealing with a ton of injuries as the second week of camp is underway, including safety Brian Branch. The 24-year-old didn't partake in any workouts during the spring and is currently on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in December 2025.
Branch isn't the only Lions safety out, as Kerby Joseph is also nursing a knee injury. Branch's and Joseph's availability for Week 1 is uncertain, meaning Detroit could be without both its starting safeties to start the season.
However, we did receive a new injury update on Branch's status, and it's looking like an early-season return could be possible for the 2024 Pro Bowler.
Brian Branch "Looks Fluid" at Lions Camp
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
During Monday's practice, Branch and Joseph were on the side going through a workout. Colton Pouncy of The Athletic noted that Branch was backpedaling and making cuts, and he looked fluid in the workout. Pouncy didn't offer an update on Joseph and how his workout went.
Branch seems to be ahead of schedule in his rehab, as the Alabama product is just eight months removed from the Achilles tear and is already doing some light on-the-field work. Head coach Dan Campbell said last week that the Lions hope to get Branch practicing with the team sometime in early September, which would be the final stages of preparation before the season opener against the New Orleans Saints.
If Branch continues to make solid progress in his rehab, his return could come much earlier than initially expected. There's a chance we could see Branch in the starting lineup within the first month of the season, which would greatly help a Lions secondary that is facing uncertainty.
Though Branch has been receiving positive injury updates and has a timeline for a comeback, Joseph's status is still up in the air, and we'll see if the Lions can get their star safety duo back in action soon.
