Brian Branch is landing on the PUP list to begin the Detroit Lions' 2026 season, which was to be expected. The star safety tore his achilles at the end of their disappointing 2025, which added insult to literal injury. With that coming in December, it was a known fact that he'd likely need some time before hitting the field again in 2026.
Still, unlike his co-star Kerby Joseph, Branch's recovery has been linear. He's been present in training camp and had been participating in drills on the side of practice.
And, with a new rule in place related to PUP stints, players can return to practice after two weeks on the list as opposed to four. Branch could be ready to go by the Lions' Week 6 bout against the Arizona Cardinals, or given extra weeks to get back into a groove ahead of a pivotal Week 7 game against the Green Bay Packers.
That should be a scary thought for the Packers, despite his injury. And, it's also why executives named Branch as a major snub on ESPN's latest Top 100 list ahead of the year - he's still a menace to opposing offenses despite that tear. Jeremy Fowler wrote of the snub:
"Often an underappreciated position, five safeties were featured in this year's NFL Rank. Left off the ballot was Branch, who has established himself as a premier player over the past two seasons with a 1.9% pass breakup percentage that ranks third among safeties. In 2025, Branch was one of two defensive backs with at least five passes defended, five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks."
Branch's comeback could shake up NFC North
Even if Joseph doesn't return this year, which is a real possibility, the Lions could still have a very decent safety tandem in Branch and Chuck Clark. Clark impressed throughout training camp and is expected to start alongside Avonte Maddox at safety.
Clark finished up his 2025 with three passes defended in addition to 51 total tackles and one forced fumble, and only began to experience a bit of a dropoff in production following his last year with the Baltimore Ravens in 2022.
READ MORE: Jake Bates' Week 3 preseason performance was even shakier than initially thought
It feels like analysts are lumping Branch and Joseph together as a potential "bust" at safety, when in reality, the only player that we should be concerned about returning to the field this year is Joseph. Branch, alone, will be a huge return for the Lions' defense, and one that fans can actually rely on happening based on the timeline for a recovery from a torn achilles.
With such a thin cornerback room, Branch's return at safety will do wonders for Detroit as they will likely utilize him a ton in the slot and downfield.
Add us as a preferred source on Google