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Allen Park — Brian Branch has yet to suffer a setback in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon that ended his 2025 season, but head coach Dan Campbell isn't ready to put a timetable on his return just yet.
Branch tore his Achilles tendon in December of last season. While Achilles recovery can be 9 to 12 months, recent medical developments have expedited that timeline in some cases. Thursday in Allen Park, Campbell was specifically asked whether Branch, who's missed the offseason program to rehab from the injury, could potentially be ready for Week 1.
"I don't know. I guess there's always a chance," Campbell said. "I'm gonna just go ahead and widen the window so we don't have to talk about it anymore. Let's just go ahead and say December, and then anything before that is a bonus."
Branch, a 2024 Pro Bowler, is part of a safety duo that's one of the league's best when healthy, but is fully in flux as Kerby Joseph also tries to heal from a knee injury that ended his 2025 season, costing him 11 games.
Campbell said Branch "could be" a candidate to start on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, which would cost him at least his first four games.
"Look, there's no setbacks with him. That's what I can tell you," Campbell said. "He's doing a good job, he's putting in the work, but until we really get closer, I'd hate to start throwing a timetable on him."
Branch, a 2023 second-round pick, became eligible to sign a contract extension this offseason. He's expected to be among the league's highest-paid safeties, although he might not be in line for a market-resetting deal. General manager Brad Holmes said earlier in the offseason Branch's injury doesn't change the franchise's desire to re-sign him. Campbell said the upcoming financial commitment will likely lead them to err on the side of caution.
"I think you always want to know that your guys, that they are healthy and that this is healed," Campbell said. "You're always gonna kinda want to lean that way, knowing the investment that would go into that."
[email protected]
@nolanbianchi
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Brian Branch injury update: No setbacks in recovery for Lions safety
Continue reading...
Branch tore his Achilles tendon in December of last season. While Achilles recovery can be 9 to 12 months, recent medical developments have expedited that timeline in some cases. Thursday in Allen Park, Campbell was specifically asked whether Branch, who's missed the offseason program to rehab from the injury, could potentially be ready for Week 1.
"I don't know. I guess there's always a chance," Campbell said. "I'm gonna just go ahead and widen the window so we don't have to talk about it anymore. Let's just go ahead and say December, and then anything before that is a bonus."
Branch, a 2024 Pro Bowler, is part of a safety duo that's one of the league's best when healthy, but is fully in flux as Kerby Joseph also tries to heal from a knee injury that ended his 2025 season, costing him 11 games.
Campbell said Branch "could be" a candidate to start on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, which would cost him at least his first four games.
"Look, there's no setbacks with him. That's what I can tell you," Campbell said. "He's doing a good job, he's putting in the work, but until we really get closer, I'd hate to start throwing a timetable on him."
Branch, a 2023 second-round pick, became eligible to sign a contract extension this offseason. He's expected to be among the league's highest-paid safeties, although he might not be in line for a market-resetting deal. General manager Brad Holmes said earlier in the offseason Branch's injury doesn't change the franchise's desire to re-sign him. Campbell said the upcoming financial commitment will likely lead them to err on the side of caution.
"I think you always want to know that your guys, that they are healthy and that this is healed," Campbell said. "You're always gonna kinda want to lean that way, knowing the investment that would go into that."
[email protected]
@nolanbianchi
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Brian Branch injury update: No setbacks in recovery for Lions safety
Continue reading...
