Dan Campbell lays out the Lions' plan for Brian Branch when he returns from injury

Dan Campbell may have some big plans for Brian Branch where he returns from an injury he suffered during the offseason. While speaking to reporters in late July, the Detroit Lions head coach talked about moving Branch from nickel to safety.

“Nothing is set in stone yet. Some of that is… we really feel like you know the safety position could be really good from Branch,” Campbell said. We certainly know he can play nickel, but it’s one of those man is that the best thing for him and for us?

“We sort this how thing out and [Ifeatu Melifonwu] is doing what he’s doing and he’s continuing to grow and we don’t have a nickel that comes to the forefront, it could easily be well [Melifonwu] is your safety and the Branch is back to nickel. We have a lot of moving parts here, but right now it really is when Branch gets back and is ready to go, which he’s in a good place, he’s coming. His rehab is going well, he’s out there in walkthough. Then you’re talking about a competition between those two at the safety position.”

Branch had surgery on his ankle during the offseason and has been limited at camp. The former Alabama Crimson Tide star had a strong rookie season in 2023, posting 74 tackles, one sack three interceptions and 13 passes defended with one defensive touchdown.

Brian Branch is ‘looking forward’ to playing safety

While speaking to reporters at the start of camp, Branch said he’s looking forward to moving to safety. “AG (defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn) makes his defense so that safeties can make a lot of plays in this defense,” he said, per the Lions’ official website. “You’re farther back from the line of scrimmage, so that means you can move anywhere and make a lot more plays on the ball (than you can) at the nickel. I’m looking forward to it, I just have to go get it.”

“Certainly, we know he can play the nickel position, but just safety, you got a lot of freedom within the structure, within the system,” Campbell said. “I mean you talk about making plays, you can make some plays there. We just feel like Branch, it can suit him well and give him a chance to see where he can go with it.”