An otherwise good night for the Detroit Lions last Thursday night ended up marred by bad news. Safety Brian Branch suffered a torn Achilles late in the game, which means he'll likely be out into next season for a noticeable stretch.
Branch's injury is just the latest injury hit the Lions' secondary has taken this season, More specific to the safety position, Kerby Joseph has missed the last seven games with a knee injury, and while he may be able to play again this season the issue may be an ongoing thing he'll have to manage going forward.
The injury concerns attached to Branch and Joseph may alter the Lions' priorities for the 2026 draft. Their plan for free agency may also change to some degree, with capable, starter-level veteran now on the radar.
We also know the potential signing of a veteran safety is unlilkely be a big name on the higher end of the cost spectrum. There's nothing wrong with mining the bargain bin for an ideal fit, but that's where expections have to be barring something unforeseen.
The answer to the Lions' injury woes at safety is right in front of them
In Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys, Thomas Harper made his seventh straight start in place of Joseph. He also exited that game after just two snaps due to a concussion, further thinning the Lions' safety depth.
In stepped Avonte Maddox, a Detroit native and under the radar signing by the Lions last offseason. He had played just 67 defensive snaps all season to that point, with the lion's share of those coming in three blowout wins.
Maddox played every one of the remaining 80 defensive snaps against Dallas, with eight total tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Pro Football Focus gave him the highest overall (90.3), run defense (73.4) and coverage (83.4) grades among Lions' defenders for the game.
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Al Karsten of Pride of Detroit further highlighted Maddox's performance against the Cowboys.
"Those 80 snaps tied the highest total of Maddox’s career, with a strong majority coming as the deep middle defender—an interesting change of pace for a player who spent most of the past four seasons in Philadelphia working primarily from the slot. His 70 snaps at free safety against Dallas were more than he’d logged at the position in any full season since his rookie year in 2018.
Maddox stepped up as the next man up when another injury hit the Lions safety depth chart, and his performance against the Cowboys left a "what took so long for him to play?" vibe. With Branch now out, his presence over the rest of the season now has a layer of critical importance.
Based on how much he lined up a free safety against the Cowboys, Maddox's role would change to more like Branch's versatile role if/when Joseph is healthy. Regardless, he is broadly lined up to be an answer to the Lions' injury woes at safety over the rest of the season. If he continues to perform well, it will definitely be noticed as veteran options to help the situation next season are considered in March.