Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch is inching closer to a return after suffering a torn Achilles in early December.
How soon that return will be is still up in the air, as head coach Dan Campbell reiterated during Thursday's presser, saying that he doesn't know if Branch will be back for training camp, but "I guess there's always a chance."
Campbell joked that he'll widen Branch's return timetable to December, so he'll stop getting asked that, before saying Branch "could be" back for training camp and the start of the season.
"He could be. He could be. You know, look, there's no setbacks with him. That's what I can tell you. He's doing a good job. He's putting in the work, but it's a little -- until we really get closer, I hate to start throwing a timetable on him, you know, but he's doing well."
Coach Campbell on Brian Branch pic.twitter.com/epp26RMexz
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) June 11, 2026
It's another encouraging update for Branch, and comes a few days after Branch himself shared videos through AthleteRX documenting his rehab progress.
The miracles and advancements of science have led to numerous athletes returning from Achilles and ACL injuries much faster and closer to their pre-injury selves than in decades past. For example, over in the NBA, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles tendon during the 2024-25 playoffs. Tatum was expected to miss all of the 2025-26 season, but returned ten months later. Tatum went on to play 22 of the possible 27 games the rest of the way.
Currently, Achilles injuries typically take 8-12 months, with Tatum landing in the middle of that. If Branch is on a similar timetable, an October return would seem more likely. Still, Branch plays a different position in a different sport, so it's unclear how much that impacts Branch's timetable compared to Tatum's.
Expect more clarity on this once Branch reaches the eight-month mark in August, when preseason games are set to begin. Hopefully, by then, we'll start to get clarity on Branch's safety partner, Kerby Joseph, as well.
Chuck Clark has to hold down the fort until Branch returns
The Lions didn't take any chances this offseason with Branch's recovery, signing veteran Chuck Clark at the tail end of March. Clark spent a bulk of his career with the Baltimore Ravens before spending a season with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers, starting 80 of his 123 games.
Clark knows a bit of what Branch is currently going through, having torn his ACL during OTAs in 2023. Clark missed that entire season. Late in the following season, Clark tore his pectoral muscle, placing him on the season-ending IR.
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Because the Lions are expected to take things slow with Branch, Clark will get his opportunity to be a regular starter again, after only starting five of his 15 games with the Steelers. However, if Clark struggles, the Lions may be encouraged enough by Branch's speedy recovery to insert him back in the lineup sooner rather than later.
Clark likely understands Branch will get his job back at some point in 2026, but until then, it's his job to ensure Branch doesn't return before he's fully ready. And because he's on a one-year deal, this could be the 31-year-old's last chance to prove he's a capable starter in the NFL.
If he succeeds, the Lions safety unit will be in great hands until Branch returns -- whenever that will actually be.
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