Lions make unfortunate Brian Branch move before 2026 season

The Detroit Lions have not officially confirmed their 53-man roster for the beginning of the 2026 NFL season. However, there is some information coming out about the moves they are making. One of these moves confirms unfortunate news surrounding star safety Brian Branch.

Branch is going to begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, according to Netflix Sports NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The bad news is that the former second-round pick will miss at least four games to begin the season. There is still a chance he takes the field this season, though.

Branch was having an excellent season for the Lions in 2025 before getting hurt. He tore his Achilles tendon against the Dallas Cowboys in early December last year. This injury cost him the remainder of the 2025 campaign.

News of Branch’s injury status is brutal for Detroit early in 2026. The Lions had to place their other starting safety, Kerby Joseph, on the Physically Unable to Perform list as well. Joseph is dealing with a knee injury that caused him problems throughout the 2025 campaign.

Branch and Joseph form one of the best safety pairings in the NFL. The two star defensive backs helped the Lions to a franchise record 15 wins in 2024. Unfortunately, Detroit was unable to win the Super Bowl that season, as they fell to the Commanders in the NFC Divisional Round.

The Lions are hoping to get back to Super Bowl contention in 2026. However, they will need Branch to be 100% healthy before he can take the field again. We’ll see how Detroit’s defense holds up in Week 1 when they play host to Tyler Shough and the New Orleans Saints.

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