Branch registered 74 tackles including 1.0 sacks, 13 passes defended including three interceptions, one defensive touchdown and one forced fumble over 15 games in 2023.
Impressing at both safety and nickel cornerback as a rookie, Branch ultimately settled in at the latter position despite the Lions spending $6.5 million to bring in C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who was moved to safety instead. Branch ultimately finished the year tied for 12th among cornerbacks in both passes defended and INTs. While it remains possible that the Alabama product could see added responsibilities at safety again in the future, he at least seems to be locked into a key role in the secondary entering 2024.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Departs Week 18 with wrist injury
Rotowire
Branch (wrist) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Vikings, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.
Branch sustained a wrist injury in the second half of Sunday's game and walked with trainers to the locker room. He had one solo tackle before exiting the game.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Has huge game at Minnesota
Rotowire
Branch recorded six tackles (five solo) including a sack and a forced fumble, and an interception in Sunday's 30-24 win at Minnesota.
Early in the second quarter, Branch came blazing through the B gap on a blitz and dislodged the ball from the hands of Nick Mullens. That play didn't result in a turnover, but Branch had already achieved that himself in the first quarter with his third pick of the season. The rookie second-rounder is starting to look like he was a home-run pick for the Lions.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Leads Lions with eight stops
Rotowire
Branch totaled eight tackles (three solo) in Thursday's Week 12 loss to the Packers.
Branch's eight stops led Detroit and were his most since he racked up 11 tackles against Atlanta in Week 3. The 22-year-old has been a fairly reliable IDP option over the Lions' past four games with an average of of six stops per game during that span. Branch has been one of the league's top defensive rookies this year, notching 51 tackles (36 solo) and an interception (which he returned for a touchdown) over nine contests.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Will play at Baltimore
Rotowire
Branch (ankle) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game at the Ravens, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
Branch will return from a two-game absence in Week 7, as he is now apparently back to full strength after sustaining an ankle injury in Week 4 at Green Bay. He should start as Detroit's slot corner Sunday.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Anticipates playing this week
Rotowire
Branch (ankle) said Thursday that he'll play against the Ravens this Sunday, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.
Branch missed the past two games and was a limited practice participant both Wednesday and Thursday this week. He's listed as a safety on most fantasy sites but has taken a vast majority of his snaps as a slot corner and quickly become a fan favorite in Detroit. The rookie second-round pick has 25 tackles (21 solo), four pass defenses and a pick-six in four appearances.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Limited at walkthrough
Rotowire
Branch (ankle) was limited in Detroit's walkthrough Wednesday.
Branch has missed the team's past two games with an ankle injury but is now one step closer to returning to the field. The rookie second-round pick will look to return to action versus the Ravens on Sunday and help slow down Lamar Jackson and the rest of the offense.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Out again
Rotowire
Branch (ankle) will not play in Sunday's game in Tampa Bay, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com report.
Branch's absence will mark his second straight after he was carted off the field in the Lions' Week 4 win over the Packers. Detroit did not opt to place him on injured reserve, so that indicates the team still does not think he will be out much longer. His absence against the Bucs could lead to more opportunities for Will Harris and Ifeatu Melifonwu as depth options at safety.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Undergoes X-ray
Rotowire
X-rays on Branch's ankle returned negative following Thursday's 34-20 win over the Packers, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Branch was forced to exit the game in the first half, though he was ultimately able to return. Both the fact that he returned to the field and the initial imaging suggest the injury isn't overly serious, though more information should emerge in the coming days.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Back in game
Rotowire
Branch (ankle) returned to Thursday's contest with the Packers, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.
Branch was able to return to the field in the fourth quarter after he was carted off with an ankle injury in the third. The rookie will be back in his starting role at free safety.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Absent from injury report
Rotowire
Branch, who left Week 1 early due to cramps, is not on the team's estimated injury report Wednesday.
Branch's ability to avoid the injury report is good news for the defense, as the Alabama product should continue to play a significant role in the team's secondary. Operating as the team's nickelback, he should be on the field Sunday against the Seahawks.
