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Tag: Brian Branch

  • Detroit Lions Injury Report: 5 Players Miss Thursday’s Practice, 2 Key Players Return

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    The Detroit Lions’ latest injury report has been released, and we have some good news and some not-so-good news to pass along. As you can see below, both Amon-Ra St. Brown (Full participant) and Kalif Raymond (Limited) returned to practice on Thursday, while Avonte Maddox and Giovanni Manu (both limited) were added to today’s report.

    Detroit Lions Injury Report

    Here is the full Injury Report for Thursday:

    Player Position Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
    Terrion Arnold CB shoulder NP NP
    Zach Cunningham LB hamstring NP NP
    Taylor Decker T shoulder NP NP
    Kerby Joseph S knee NP NP
    Sione Vaki RB groin NP NP
    Brian Branch DB ankle LP LP
    Avonte Maddox DB hamstring not listed LP
    Giovanni Manu OL knee not listed LP
    Kalif Raymond WR neck NP LP
    Alim McNeill DT knee FP FP
    Amon-Ra St. Brown WR wrist NP FP

    The Lions Have Concerns

    The concern lies with Terrion Arnold, Taylor Decker, Kerby Joseph, Zach Cunningham, and Sione Vaki, all of whom did not practice again on Thursday.

    Arnold continues to recover from a shoulder injury. Head coach Dan Campbell said earlier in the week that while surgery isn’t necessary, Arnold “may still be out a while.” His absence has forced Detroit to rely heavily on other options

    Decker’s shoulder issue also remains a lingering problem. The veteran left tackle hasn’t practiced all week, and his status for Sunday remains uncertain.

    Limited But Improving

    Brian Branch, Detroit’s Pro Bowl defensive back, continues to make strides after being limited both Wednesday and Thursday with an ankle issue. While not 100%, Branch’s return to practice is a positive sign for a defense that thrives on his energy and versatility.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Brian Branch Reveals Lions’ True Feelings About Ben Johnson’s Move to Bears

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    The Detroit Lions might have insisted all week that their Week 2 clash with the Chicago Bears wasn’t about Ben Johnson, but safety Brian Branch wasn’t shy about telling the real story.

    After Detroit rolled to a 52-21 win at Ford Field, head coach Dan Campbell and quarterback Jared Goff both took the high road, brushing aside any notion that Johnson’s new role in Chicago added extra fuel to the fire.

    Brian Branch: “We felt betrayed”

    When asked directly how much the Lions were motivated by facing their former offensive coordinator, Branch didn’t sugarcoat it:

    “Very motivated,” Branch said via Pride of Detroit. “We knew coming into this game that this is personal. Really, all these games are personal. But this one was just—we felt like we’ve been betrayed from staff to players. We love Ben. We still love Ben. He’s a great coach and he’s a great mastermind, but yeah, it was time to get after him.”

    Branch went on to clarify what exactly made it feel personal. It wasn’t just that Johnson left Detroit, it was where he landed.

    “Yeah, he could’ve went anywhere else, but he’s got to see us again,” Branch added.

    The Bigger Picture

    Johnson helped transform Detroit’s offense into one of the league’s best before leaving to become Chicago’s head coach. His fingerprints are still all over the Lions’ scheme, and plenty of players, like Amon-Ra St. Brown, have been open about how much Johnson’s coaching helped their careers.

    But Branch’s honesty reflects the underlying tension: it stings more when a respected coach crosses over to a division rival. The fact that Detroit’s defense came out flying, forcing turnovers and holding Chicago to just 21 points, shows just how personal this one really was.

    The Bottom Line

    While Campbell and Goff downplayed the rivalry angle, Brian Branch pulled back the curtain on how the Lions really felt. Johnson’s move to Chicago lit a fire under Detroit’s defense, and the Lions made sure to send a message loud and clear.

    And in Branch’s words, that message was simple: you don’t betray this locker room without paying the price.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Dan Campbell Gives Game Ball to Martha Ford, 2 Others After Blowout Win Vs. Bears

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    Following the Detroit Lions’ dominant 52-21 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon, head coach Dan Campbell had plenty of reasons to be fired up in the postgame locker room.

    Campbell praised his squad for their improved communication and execution compared to Week 1, and he pointed out that the Lions won plenty of one-on-one battles. Still, the message remained grounded, there’s work left to be done, and this team knows it.

    Dan Campbell Gives Out 3 Game Balls

    As part of the celebration, Campbell handed out game balls, and the first went to a very special recipient: Martha Ford, who will turn 100 years old on Tuesday. The longtime Lions matriarch received a huge ovation from players and staff alike as Campbell recognized her milestone birthday.

    Campbell also awarded game balls to safety Brian Branch, who was a force all game long on defense, and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who torched Chicago’s secondary with three touchdown grabs.

    It was a perfect way to cap off a dominant divisional win, honoring both the future Hall of Famers in the making and the history that paved the way.

    Detroit Lions Celebration Video

    Check out the full locker room celebration in the video below.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Brian Branch Opens Up on Helmet Toss vs Packers

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    Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch knows he can’t afford to lose his cool, not again. After drawing a costly 15-yard penalty in Sunday’s 27-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers, Branch admitted Wednesday that his helmet toss wasn’t his proudest moment.

    The Incident at Lambeau

    It all happened on Green Bay’s opening drive. Branch got tangled up with tight end Tucker Kraft, who continued blocking him after the whistle. Frustrated, Branch yanked off Kraft’s helmet and chucked it toward the Lions’ sideline.

    The result? A flag, an early momentum swing for Green Bay, and another blemish on Branch’s record.

    “Hopefully I didn’t, but I probably did,” Branch said as quoted by the Detroit Free Press.

    A Pattern Branch Has to Break

    Last season, Branch was fined seven times for various illegal hits and on-field incidents. That included one infamous moment in Green Bay when he was ejected and flipped the Lambeau crowd double middle fingers on his way out.

    So yeah, Branch knows he has a target on his back when it comes to discipline. And so does his head coach.

    “He knows better,” Dan Campbell said after the game. “That was the message. … It was one of the things we talked about, man, keeping your head. So he knows better.”

    Brian Branch’s Take

    To his credit, Branch isn’t running from the mistake.

    “Just got to be the bigger person next time,” he said.

    It’s not just about avoiding penalties, it’s about being available and dependable for a defense that can’t afford mental lapses. Branch is one of Detroit’s most versatile playmakers, and the Lions need his energy focused on shutting down opponents, not sparring with them after the whistle.

    Bottom Line

    The Lions get a chance to reset this Sunday in their home opener against the Chicago Bears. For Branch, that means proving he can channel his intensity the right way, as the guy making game-changing plays, not drawing game-changing penalties.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Mike Valenti: Lions Should Trade Brian Branch for Trey Hendrickson

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    The Detroit Lions are in a Super Bowl window, and tough roster decisions are starting to surface. Radio host Mike Valenti stirred the pot this week when he said he’d be willing to trade Brian Branch, one of Detroit’s brightest young defensive backs, if it meant landing Bengals star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.

    Mike Valenti issues Brian Branch Trey Hendrickson trade

    Valenti’s Bold Take

    Valenti didn’t mince words on 97.1 The Ticket. In his view, Branch is a fantastic player, but Hendrickson’s impact as an All-Pro edge rusher outweighs what the Lions would lose on the back end.

    “There are very few players that are non starters for me, right? Very few players are untradeable,” Valenti explained as quoted by Lions OnSI. “I’m not trading Penei Sewell. I’m not trading my quarterback. I’m not trading Aidan Hutchinson. But if the Bengals called and asked for Jack Campbell and a first-round pick? Or Brian Branch? It’s not supposed to be an easy decision. You’re talking about acquiring a guy who led the league in sacks last year.”

    And then came the kicker:

    “I love Brian Branch, but yeah, I’d do that deal. I’d trade my mother for a Super Bowl.”

    The Money Factor

    Part of Valenti’s logic comes down to finances. Branch is still on his rookie contract, but the Lions will eventually have to pay him top-tier safety money. With Kerby Joseph already extended, Detroit might not be able to afford two expensive safeties.

    “You do have to pay him and pay him real money,” Valenti said. “Now that doesn’t bother me — where there’s a will, there’s a way. But for me, players are commodities. They’re production quotients. Ultimately, there is nothing that Brian Branch will do that would remotely compare to Trey Hendrickson’s down-in, play-in and play-out effect.”

    Would Holmes Do It?

    Of course, Valenti is looking at things from a fan-first, win-now perspective. Lions GM Brad Holmes has built the roster through the draft, preaching sustainability and long-term team building. While Holmes hasn’t shied away from aggressive moves before, betting on Hendrickson at the cost of Branch and future picks would be a franchise-defining decision.

    Valenti, for his part, doesn’t think the Lions will pull the trigger.
    “I don’t think they would. I think they’re happy paying increased prices and just staying good. And they’re happy ESPN talks about them. I don’t think they’re all in to win a Super Bowl.”

    The Bottom Line

    Mike Valenti says he’d send Brian Branch and more to Cincinnati if it meant bringing Trey Hendrickson to Detroit. It’s a classic clash of philosophies: win-now aggression vs. patient, draft-driven roster building.

    So here’s the real question for Lions fans: Would you trade away one of Detroit’s best young defenders for a proven pass-rush star who could put this defense over the top?

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Dan Campbell Weighs In On Brian Branch Ejection

    Dan Campbell Weighs In On Brian Branch Ejection

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    Following the Detroit Lions’ matchup against the Green Bay Packers, head coach Dan Campbell addressed the controversial ejection of safety Brian Branch. The decision to eject Branch for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers receiver Bo Melton drew scrutiny from fans and analysts alike, and Campbell offered his perspective on the incident.

    Campbell’s Thoughts on the Ejection

    In his post-game comments, Campbell acknowledged the officials’ role in the decision, stating, “Yeah, look you know as well as I do that’s not up to me,” Campbell said as quoted by SI. “The only explanation I got, those guys (the refs) did a great job, Clete (Blakeman) and them. I have a lot of respect for what they do and they just said it came from New York so that is all I’ve got on it.” This admission highlighted Campbell’s respect for the officiating crew while also pointing out that the decision stemmed from the league’s officiating office.

    The ejection marked a significant moment for Campbell, as he noted, “That is the first time that I have ever been a part of something like that since I’ve been a head coach, that somebody got ejected. So I didn’t see it. I don’t know.” This was a new experience for the Lions’ coach, underscoring the unpredictable nature of officiating in the NFL.

    Brian Branch

    Lessons for Branch

    When asked about what Branch could learn from the ejection, Campbell emphasized the importance of adapting to the league’s standards. “Yeah, I have to see it. I don’t know. I’m assuming he hit his head. Certainly try to lower your target to where it doesn’t become that, but I never want to take away his aggressiveness and the skills that make him the player that he is,” he said.

    Campbell further noted the impact of Branch’s absence on the game, stating, “but it doesn’t help us when he isn’t available in the game either. So I would tell him just to lower it, and he has to get used to that too when you play in primetime games. New York is going to look at all these. They don’t care about the one o’clock games. They give us primetime games. So understand the situation and we will get through it. He will be fine.”

    As the Lions move forward, Campbell’s insights into Branch’s ejection will be crucial for the young safety as he learns to navigate the expectations and scrutiny that come with playing at a high level. The focus now shifts to how the Lions can adapt without one of their key defensive players while continuing their quest for success in the NFC North.

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    W.G. Brady

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  • NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating Explains Brian Branch Ejection

    NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating Explains Brian Branch Ejection

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    In the wake of Brian Branch’s controversial ejection during the Detroit Lions’ game against the Green Bay Packers, NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating Perry Fewell provided clarity on the decision-making process surrounding the penalty. Following a head-to-head hit on Packers receiver Bo Melton, Branch was ejected, sparking debate among fans and analysts about the nature of the call.

    Automatic Ejection?

    During an interview with PFWA pool reporter Rob Demovsky, Fewell addressed whether the ejection was automatic. “Not automatic. We reviewed all the angles, and we clearly felt that he had time and space to make a different choice, as the act was a flagrant foul. And he clearly had the opportunity to avoid the head and neck area,” Fewell stated. This insight highlights the league’s commitment to player safety while also acknowledging the context of the play.

    Decision-Making Process

    Fewell further elaborated on the decision-making process, clarifying that the determination of the penalty was made in “concert” with officials both on the field and in New York. “We had a flag on the field and so we had a consultation with the crew on the field as well as us here in New York,” he explained. This collaborative approach aims to ensure consistency in officiating across the league.

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    Branch’s Reaction

    In a separate note, Fewell addressed Branch’s reaction following his ejection, which included what appeared to be a double-middle finger gesture directed at the Packers fans. When asked if there would be any further discipline for Branch, Fewell responded, “No, there was not, not by our on-field officials, no.” However, he did indicate that such actions could be subject to review later, stating, “That could be through compliance, yes.”

    As the Lions look to move forward from this game, the explanation from Fewell provides valuable context regarding the officiating standards in the NFL. With the trade deadline approaching and playoff hopes on the line, the focus will now shift back to the team’s performance as they continue to build momentum in the NFC North.

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    W.G. Brady

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  • Brian Branch Flips Green Bay Packers Fans The Double Bird After Ejection

    Brian Branch Flips Green Bay Packers Fans The Double Bird After Ejection

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    What a wild ride it has been for the Detroit Lions in their matchup against the Green Bay Packers! In the latest twist, safety Brian Branch made headlines not just for his on-field performance but for his fiery reaction to being ejected from the game. After being tossed for a controversial head-to-head hit on Packers receiver Bo Melton, Branch walked off the field and flipped the double bird to the cheering Packers fans. And honestly, I love it!

    Branch’s ejection came after what many of us viewed as an overreaction by the officials. Sure, the hit raised eyebrows, but it felt like a classic case of the NFL taking things too far. So when Branch decided to give the crowd a piece of his mind, it resonated with Lions fans everywhere. Who wouldn’t want to stick it to the cheeseheads in Lambeau after a frustrating call?

    Of course, that gesture cost the Lions an additional 15-yard penalty, but let’s be real: who cares? The atmosphere at Lambeau was electric, and Branch’s antics only added fuel to the fire. At halftime, the Lions were leading the Packers 17-3, proving that even with the chaos surrounding Branch’s exit, this team knows how to rally and deliver when it matters most.

    Branch’s double bird was a perfect representation of the grit and determination this Lions team has shown all season. It sends a message that they’re not backing down from anyone, especially not the Packers. This rivalry is heated, and Branch’s defiant move captures the spirit of what it means to be a Lion.

    As we head into the second half, the Lions will need to maintain their momentum without Branch, but let’s hope they channel some of that fiery attitude he displayed. If the team can keep the pressure on the Packers and hold onto their lead, we might just see a statement victory that sends a clear message to the entire NFC North: the Lions are here to play, and we’re not afraid to show some attitude along the way!

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    W.G. Brady

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  • Detroit Lions Top 5 Highest and Lowest Graded Defensive Players From Week 8

    Detroit Lions Top 5 Highest and Lowest Graded Defensive Players From Week 8

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    The Detroit Lions’ defense was a significant factor in their dominant 52-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans, leading the way with four takeaways and impressive performances across the board. Pro Football Focus (PFF) has released the Week 8 grades for Detroit’s defensive players, highlighting those who stood out and those who struggled.

    Highest PFF-Graded Defensive Players

    1. DT Levi Onwuzurike – 86.1
      Levi Onwuzurike led the defense with an outstanding grade of 86.1, showcasing his ability to disrupt the Titans’ offensive line. His performance in Week 8 demonstrated his value as a dominant force in the trenches.
    2. S Kerby Joseph – 82.0
      Safety Kerby Joseph continued to excel in Detroit’s secondary, earning an 82.0 grade. His awareness and playmaking ability contributed significantly to Detroit’s strong defensive showing, and he remains a crucial asset in the Lions’ backfield.
    3. DT Alim McNeill – 80.6
      Alim McNeill joined Onwuzurike with a high grade of 80.6, further strengthening Detroit’s defensive line. His solid play against both the pass and the run was a critical part of limiting the Titans’ offense.
    4. LB Jack Campbell – 78.4
      Rookie linebacker Jack Campbell posted a 78.4 grade, showing continued growth and adaptability. His instincts and ability to read plays are starting to pay off as he finds his rhythm in Detroit’s defensive schemes.
    5. CB Kindle Vildor – 78.3
      Kindle Vildor made the most of his opportunities, earning a 78.3 grade. His reliable coverage skills and aggressiveness helped shut down Tennessee’s passing game, contributing to the Lions’ overall defensive success.
    Brian Branch Sums Up His Game Brian Branch suffers injury Brian Branch just cannot stop watching his pick-six Brian Branch hints at when C.J. Gardner-Johnson will return Brian Branch fined by NFL Brian Branch on Detroit Lions

    Lowest PFF-Graded Defensive Players

    1. S Brian Branch – 54.4
      Safety Brian Branch had a challenging outing, receiving a 54.4 grade. Despite being one of Detroit’s most promising young defenders, Branch struggled in coverage and missed a few key tackles.
    2. LB Trevor Nowaske – 52.6
      Trevor Nowaske saw limited action but posted a 52.6 grade, indicating areas for improvement. The linebacker has potential but will look to enhance his consistency in future games.
    3. DE Pat O’Connor – 44.9
      Pat O’Connor was among the lowest-graded players with a 44.9 rating. Despite Detroit’s defensive success overall, O’Connor found it difficult to gain traction against Tennessee’s offensive line.
    4. LB Alex Anzalone – 43.3
      Team captain Alex Anzalone had a rough performance, receiving a 43.3 grade. Known for his leadership, Anzalone will be aiming to bounce back quickly and regain his form as Detroit prepares for tougher matchups.
    5. CB Ennis Rakestraw – 26.4
      Ennis Rakestraw earned the lowest grade of the defense with a 26.4. The young cornerback struggled significantly in coverage, highlighting the need for improvement as Detroit eyes further success this season.

    Final Thoughts

    With impressive performances from players like Levi Onwuzurike and Kerby Joseph, Detroit’s defense demonstrated its ability to dominate on multiple fronts. However, players with lower grades, such as Ennis Rakestraw and Alex Anzalone, will aim to address their struggles in time for Week 9. The Lions are set to face their NFC North rival, the Green Bay Packers, where their defense will once again need to step up.

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    W.G. Brady

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