The Detroit Lions have encountered another setback regarding safety Brian Branch’s return for their Monday night game against the Seattle Seahawks. Branch, who was sidelined during the team’s Week 3 win against the Arizona Cardinals due to a helmet-to-helmet collision with tight end Trey McBride, was progressing through concussion protocol and seemed on track to play. However, over the weekend, Branch experienced a new complication that now makes him doubtful for the upcoming game due to an illness, according to Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire.
Risdon pointed out that no player with a “doubtful” designation has ever played under head coach Dan Campbell, making it unlikely that Branch will be available. This adds to the Lions’ defensive woes, as they already placed Ifeatu Melifonwu on injured reserve due to an ankle/Achilles injury. Melifonwu, who was in the final year of his rookie contract, had performed well in limited action last season.
With Branch’s absence, undrafted rookie Loren Strickland and second-year player Brandon Joseph are expected to step up at safety. Branch, who transitioned from cornerback to safety this season, has been a significant contributor, making seven tackles and securing an interception in the first three games. Though he cleared concussion protocol, Branch was fined $10,128 by the league for unnecessary roughness stemming from the hit on McBride, as well as for another infraction during a Cardinals field goal attempt.
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