Detroit Lions standout safety Brian Branch is feared to have sustained an Achilles injury during their win Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys, NFL Network reported on Friday morning.
Branch appeared to get injured in the first half but played into the fourth quarter, when he exited on a cart. He was spotted in a walking boot and on crutches after the Lions’ 44-30 victory, per the Detroit Free Press.
He is expected to undergo additional tests on Friday morning.
Branch’s injury also represents a significant hit for the Lions’ secondary, which is without cornerback Terrion Arnold (season-ending shoulder surgery) and safety Kerby Joseph (knee injury). Joseph hasn’t played since Oct. 12 in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Branch, 24, has started all 12 games in which he has played this season, registering 75 tackles, 2.5 sacks, nine passes defensed and one forced fumble.
He also served a one-game suspension after he slapped Kansas City wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster in the facemask just after the Oct. 12 game. The incident precipitated a minor skirmish that followed the Chiefs’ 30-17 win.
Branch was a Pro Bowl selection last season after logging career highs of 109 tackles, four interceptions and 16 passes defensed.
In 43 career NFL games (37 starts) since Detroit made him a second-round draft pick in 2023 out of Alabama, Branch has 258 tackles, 4.5 sacks, seven interceptions, 38 passes defensed and three forced fumbles.
