The Detroit Lions fell to 2-2 on the 2026 NFL season with a 32-26 loss to the Carolina Panthers that showed how far Kelvin Sheppard's porous defense has to go. Coach Dan Campbell addressed a possible change at Sheppard's position afterward, showing he means business amid a rash of defensive injuries.
Campbell returned to Allen Park, Michigan to give three updates on injured Lions defenders on October 5, including star defensive back Brian Branch.
“I'm hopeful (that Branch will practice this week),” Campbell said, adding that getting approval from Branch's doctor is the only thing standing in the way of him practicing. “I think it's really good that he's gonna practice this week,” the Lions coach added.
He also spoke about cornerback Rock Ya-Sin.
“I don't think Rock looks good right now,” Campbell said of Ya-Sin, who suffered a hamstring injury against the Panthers and was ruled out of the game.
Second-year defensive tackle Tyleik Williams' status was also mentioned by Campbell.
Article Continues Below“Tyleik is touch-and-go, he'll be day-to-day,” Campbell said.
Sheppard's defense ranks dead last in the NFL, giving up over 423 yards so far this season. Injuries to Detroit's best secondary players, Branch and fellow safety Kerby Joseph, have led to massive mental mistakes in coverage that have caused opposing teams to torch Sheppard's team all season long.
Sheppard was listed among Lions most to blame for the Sunday Night Football loss alongside quarterback Jared Goff, who failed to capitalize at key moments against Carolina's defense.
Sunday, October 11 brings a home game against Mike LaFleur's Arizona Cardinals that looks like a more fair matchup for Sheppard's defense. If Branch doesn't play and Sheppard's unit gets eviscerated again, fans will start becoming awfully restless in the Motor City, and justifiably so.