As the Detroit Lions are getting ready for their Week 7 matchup with the Green Bay Packers, they are expecting to activate Brian Branch to play during the game.
“Help is on the way, dear!” the late Robin Williams shouted in the movie Mrs. Doubtfire when he saves his daughter from choking. The same can now be said for the Detroit Lions defense, especially the secondary. Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions are expecting to activate Brian Branch before their matchup this week with the Green Bay Packers. The star safety is finally returning for the Lions to help improve a secondary that has been the worst in the league by a mile. Campbell said that unless any bad setback happens, then Branch will play against the Green Bay Packers. Something they will need with Christian Watson and Matthew Golden being big deep threats for the Packers.
Campbell says he is still trying to figure out just how many snaps Branch will get in his return, as it is expected he will not receive a full workload. The plan for Detroit this week is to push Branch in practices just to see how much he can take. Once they figure that out, it will determine how much of a workload he receives in his return to action at Ford Field. Branch will have a rest day on Wednesday between two intense practices scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday to see what he can handle. The Lions desperately need any help they can get in the secondary, and Branch has been one of the best safeties in the league when he has been on the field. His return should improve this Lions dreadful secondary.
Detroit will still be without Kerby Joseph until further notice, and they have already run through plenty of safeties. Both Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper went out early in the season with injuries. Christian Izien had some flashes when he played; rookie Keith Abney II is now being tried out at the safety position after playing cornerback in college. Abney had a good performance against the Cardinals at safety, and with Branch coming back, that could help the youngster grow and develop at the position, as he has upside and youth. Chuck Clark is another safety they have thrown into the rotation who has struggled a bit. Branch, Abney, and Izien should be an improved unit that could help in the backend with the poor cornerback play from D.J. Reed and the rest of the crew.
This news is great news for the Lions, as this young Packers receiving corps is only getting better and more explosive. The return of Brian Branch will have the crowd roaring, barring any setbacks for the star safety. If he can make any such impact on this defense, then the offense should be able to do just enough to help the team power to victory. Looks like it is going to be forward down the field for Brian Branch.