Detroit Lions place Brian Branch on PUP list ahead of training camp

The Detroit Lions placed defensive back Brian Branch on their physically unable-to-perform list ahead of his second season with the franchise. Joining defensive linemen D.J. Reader and Marcus Davenport on the PUP along with rookie offensive tackle Giovanni Manu, who was placed on the Non-Football Injury list.

Branch’s PUP placement did not come as much of a surprise after he had missed all of Detroit’s offseason program workouts following cleanup surgery in his ankle following his rookie season with the Lions. Seen in walking boot and scooter following the 2024 NFL Draft.

“He had a little cleanup there. Something that, coming out of last year, thought he might heal, and then it just ended up being, ‘We better get this thing done.’ So that’s where he’s at,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said in May. “That and I think he likes riding scooters. But we feel like he’s progressing well. We feel like he’ll be ready to go in camp. If not, early enough it’ll be certainly he’ll get enough reps to be ready for the season. That’s how we feel right now.”

In his rookie season with the Lions, Branch appeared in 15 games and started in nine. Ranking fifth on the team with 74 tackles and also added 13 passes defended, seven tackles for loss, three interceptions, a sack, and a forced fumble to his stat line. Bursting onto the scene in his first career NFL game with a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown on a pass thrown by Patrick Mahomes in a 20-21 Week 1 win for Detroit.

The Lions selected Branch with the No. 45 overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Alabama. A part of the Crimson Tide’s 2020 National Championship team and a First-team All-American selection in 2022.

Branch was a part of Detroit’s strong 2023 draft class that also included running back Jahmyr Gibbs, tight end Sam LaPorta, and linebacker Jack Campbell. Described as a Swiss Army Knife type of defensive back who excelled in his nickel cornerback role amongst others last season and will be joined by rookie cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw this year in the secondary. As Detroit hopes the versatile defensive back can return to full health soon and help be a key contributor on their defense once again.