The Detroit Lions expect safety Brian Branch to make his season debut this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, ending a seven-month absence caused by a torn Achilles. Head coach Dan Campbell indicated the former Pro Bowler will be active but may operate on a limited snap count to manage his return from the injury sustained last December. Campbell also confirmed he still expects Kerby Joseph to play this season despite an inoperable chronic knee issue, though he offered no specific timetable for the former first-team All-Pro’s return. The potential reunion of the Branch-Joseph tandem offers a path to stabilize a secondary that has struggled to contain elite offenses while the team ranks last in the league against the pass.
Cornerback Trade Pursuit
Detroit’s front office is actively evaluating the trade market for a veteran cornerback to shore up a unit that remains the team’s most glaring weakness after the release of Terrion Arnold. Reports indicate the Lions have submitted a pitch to acquire veteran Donte Jackson from the Los Angeles Chargers, a move that would see Detroit send a 2027 fifth-round pick in exchange for the cornerback in the final year of his contract. Analysts suggest the Lions should also remain aggressive in pursuing Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Riq Woolen, who is on a one-year deal with a team that has lost four straight games. The deadline of November 10 is approaching, and the Lions are expected to prioritize upgrading the cornerback group over other defensive needs.
Gibbs Breaks Record
Running back Jahmyr Gibbs was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week following his 151-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Arizona Cardinals. With his second rushing touchdown against the Cardinals, Gibbs surpassed Barry Sanders for the most career touchdowns scored by a Lions player before turning 25. Gibbs now has 58 career touchdowns before age 25, moving past the Hall of Famer who previously held the record with 57. Through the first five games of the season, Gibbs has accumulated 747 total yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns, placing him among an elite group of NFL players including Jim Brown and Eric Dickerson in similar historic starts. His versatility was further highlighted when Campbell praised his pass protection on the team’s fourth-and-one touchdown drive, noting that Gibbs’ willingness to block is as critical to the offense as his explosive running ability.
Practice Squad Roster Move
The Detroit Lions have released veteran nose tackle Chris Smith from the practice squad and replaced him with rookie Aidan Keanaaina, who returns to the organization after an injury settlement expired. Keanaaina was originally signed as an undrafted free agent to a three-year, $3.12 million deal that included $267,500 in guarantees, the highest among Detroit’s UDFA class, before suffering an injury during training camp. The move addresses a lack of depth at the nose tackle position following the departures of DJ Reader and Roy Lopez in free agency. While Keanaaina is currently focused on regaining football shape after his injury layoff, his return provides the team with a developmental option who has shown promise in previous camp evaluations.
Divisional Race Tightens
Dan Campbell expressed excitement about the upcoming divisional slate, noting that the NFC North race has tightened with every team holding a winning record. The Lions (3-2) face the Green Bay Packers (4-2) in their first divisional game of the year, a matchup Campbell described as “fun” and “exciting” after the bye week. The coach emphasized the need to win back-to-back games to break a pattern of alternating results, stating that stringing together victories is essential for the team to reach its potential in a division where the Minnesota Vikings sit at 5-0.
This article was created by aggregating Detroit Lions news using Artificial Intelligence.
