X-rays on Lions safety Brian Branch negative
Lions safety Brian Branch received some good news late on Thursday. X-rays on his ankle were negative.
So Branch, a second-round pick from Alabama, should be able to continue his amazing rookie season. After all, he kicked it off with a pick six of Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes. Last night’s was a tough one for Branch, considering he twice injured his ankle.
The first time, athletic trainers took him off the field in a cart for a check back in the locker room. After a few minutes, Branch returned to the sidelines. After a big-time tape job to better protect his ankle, the safety went back into the game. Then, he tweaked it again and didn’t return.
Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported that Branch was “limping through the locker room. Says X-rays were negative: ‘Nothing broken.'”
Coincidentally, Lions traded with Packers to select Brian Branch
Brian Branch does have some extra time for his ankle to heal. Because the Lions played on Thursday night, they don’t see the field again for 10 days. That’s when Detroit meets the Carolina Panthers. They’re quarterbacked by Bryce Young, Branch’s teammate with the Crimson Tide.
The Lions beat the Packers, 34-20, for early control of the NFC North. Branch led the Lions defense in tackles. Of his seven, five were solo.
And to think, the Packers had a lot to do with Brian Branch getting to Detroit. The Lions had their eye on Branch, but coaches and staff feared another team would select him before Detroit could take the Alabama All-American in the second round.
Lions GM Brad Holmes called the Packers and made a trade for Green Bay’s slot at No. 45. The Lions then selected Branch. The Packers weren’t finished with the wheeling and dealing. They traded the 48th pick, which had been the Lions, to Tampa for pick No. 50. The Packers picked Michigan State receiver Jayden Reed. The Bucs drafted North Dakota State offensive lineman Cody Mauch.