On the long list of injuries for the Detroit Lions coming out of Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals was a concussion for safety Brian Branch, after as scary collision with Cardinals tight end Trey McBride. His status was naturally iffy until further notice, but after being limited in Thursday's practice Branch was a full participant on Friday and Saturday.
On the final injury report of the week, Branch did not have a designation. So it appeared he had cleared concussion protocol and was good to go.
On Sunday morning, the Lions downgraded Branch to doubtful for Monday night due to an illness.
Lions Game Status Update:
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 29, 2024
DB Brian Branch (Illness) has been added to the Game Status Report. He is listed as Doubtful for Monday’s game vs. Seattle.
As Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire reminds us, with the added layer of a late downgrade here, no player listed as doubtful has every played in that week's game during Dan Campbell's tenure as head coach. So as a practical matter, Branch may as well have been downgraded all the way to "out" on Sunday morning. But there seems to be a slim chance he could play, so the door is officially being kept open ever so slightly.
In light of that history under Campbell with "doubtful" players not playing, there's a first time for everything and Branch would be on the list of players who would be allowed to buck the trend if they can show they're able to play.
Likely absence of Brian Branch leaves Lions thin at safety
On Saturday, as seemed inevitable and probably should've been done sooner as he headed toward missing the first four games of the season, the Lions placed safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) on IR. So the Lions could be down two of their top three safeties against the Seahawks.
Second-year man Brandon Joseph replaced Branch against the Cardinals, so he's in line to start alongside Kerby Joseph on Monday night if Branch can't go. Undrafted rookie Loren Strickland, who theoretically has versatility similar to Branch, could be in line for noticeable playing time too.
This side of Aidan Hutchinson, Branch is the biggest loss the Lions' defense could have. Seattle's talented trio of wide receivers will be an even greater challenge without him, assuming he is unable to suit up.