The Detroit Lions opened up the 2026 NFL season with both of their starting safeties — Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph — on the physically unable to perform list. And through the Lions' first four games of the year, they've felt those absences in a major way. Detroit ranks dead last in passing yards allowed per game with 304, more than 20 yards more than the next worse team.
The Lions are also allowing 31.8 points per game, better than only the New Orleans Saints (32). Fortunately for the Lions, Branch returned to the practice field on Wednesday — opening up his 21-day activation window. Center Cade Mays also returned to action.
"Anytime we can get our guys back off injury, that makes everyone happy," head coach Dan Campbell said of these upgrades on Wednesday. Branch suffered a season-ending Achilles tear during Week 14 of the 2025 season. He's unlikely to take the field for Sunday's Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, and the Lions have their bye in Week 6.
Detroit will return to the field for a Week 7 matchup against the division-rival Green Bay Packers on Oct. 25. Sunday's game against the Cardinals will kick off at 4:25 p.m.
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