Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch encountered another obstacle in his attempt to return for Monday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Branch was sidelined during the team’s Week 3 victory over the Arizona Cardinals following a helmet-to-helmet collision with tight end Trey McBride. Initially placed in concussion protocol, Branch seemed on track to clear the necessary steps and play in the September 30 matchup.
However, over the weekend, Branch faced a new setback. According to Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire, Branch is now doubtful for Monday’s game due to illness, which could keep him off the field.
“The team updated Branch’s status to doubtful for Monday night’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, citing an illness,” Risdon wrote. “Considering this info emerged on Sunday morning, it doesn’t look good; no player listed as ‘doubtful’ under head coach Dan Campbell has ever ended up playing.”
Lions Likely Losing Both Top Safeties The Lions were already dealing with a blow to their secondary when Ifeatu Melifonwu was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. Melifonwu had been recovering from an ankle/Achilles injury sustained in training camp, with hopes of returning to a rotational role, as reported by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
“Melifonwu, entering the final year of his rookie deal, tallied two interceptions and three sacks in six starts last season, but injuries had previously sidelined him for 17 games over his first two years,” Birkett wrote.
Risdon mentioned that undrafted rookie Loren Strickland and second-year player Brandon Joseph are likely to step in at safety with both Branch and Melifonwu out.
Branch has been a crucial part of the Lions’ defense this season, transitioning from cornerback to safety and starting all three games. He has recorded seven total tackles, including one for a loss, and has an interception.
Branch, who played some safety last season, expressed a desire to have made the position change sooner.
“Honestly, I wish they gave me more reps at safety last year, because I feel like I would be further along than I am now,” Branch said in July, per Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News.
Challenging Week for Brian Branch Branch initially seemed fortunate to escape serious injury in last week’s game. Both he and McBride lowered their heads before the collision, and the impact left Branch on the ground, motionless for a short time.
Branch was eventually assisted off the field and taken to the locker room for concussion evaluation.
Though he cleared concussion protocol, Branch faced further consequences for the hit on Saturday. According to John Maakaron of SI.com, the NFL fined Branch for the hit on McBride.
“He entered concussion protocol Sunday after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Cardinals tight end Trey McBride. The league fined Branch $10,128 for unnecessary roughness/use of helmet,” Maakaron wrote.
Branch was also fined the same amount for another hit during a Cardinals field goal attempt.
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