BRIAN BRANCH NEWS

Brian Branch: 'The vibes are immaculate' as Detroit Lions open playoffs After a first-round bye, the NFC’s No. 1 seed starts the NFL postseason on Saturday night.

4 DAYS AGO • AL.COM

Why does Brian Branch wear a mouthguard on his helmet? Lions safety explains reason behind 'tradition' | Sporting News Lions safety Brian Branch explains why he wears his bright green mouthpiece on his helmet.

5 DAYS AGO • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Who are the 10 best players in the Commanders-Lions divisional round matchup?

Who are the top 10 players in Saturday's Lions-Commanders NFC divisional round matchup? FOX Sports Research compiled the list.

5 DAYS AGO

Detroit Lions' Brian Branch takes the lead for NFL's most-fined player in 2024 The former Alabama defensive back has been fined the same amount seven times this season.

JANUARY 4 • AL.COM

Notches sack in win Branch recorded seven total tackles (four solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Monday night's 40-34 win over the 49ers.

Impact Branch was able to secure his first sack of the season, bringing down Brock Purdy in the fourth quarter. Additionally, the 23-year-old produced at least seven tackles for the third game in a row and seventh time overall in 2024. On the year, Branch has now compiled 103 total tackles (76 solo), including 1.0 sacks, a forced fumble and 15 passes defensed, including four interceptions, over 15 games.

DECEMBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Paces Detroit in tackles Branch recorded 12 total tackles (10 solo), including one tackle for loss, and defended one pass in Sunday's 34-17 win over the Bears.

Impact The second-year pro from Alabama returned to his usual starting spot of slot corner for the first time this season with Ifeatu Melifonwu making his 2024 debut and returning from injured reserve in Week 16. Branch has now logged back-to-back games of 12 or more tackles, accumulating 26 stops and two passes defended during that span. He's responsible for five turnovers (four interceptions and one forced fumble) this season and is expected to continue making plays in the Week 17 matchup against the 49ers.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Double-digit stops in win Branch recorded 12 total tackles (10 solo) and a pass defensed in Sunday's 34-17 win over the Bears.

Impact Branch was able to reach at least 10 tackles for the second week in a row and third time overall on the season. The defensive back has split his time between slot cornerback and safety in 2024, compiling 96 total tackles (72 solo), a forced fumble and 14 passes defensed, including four interceptions, over 14 games.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go against Chicago Branch (calf) is active for Sunday's game against the Bears.

Impact Branch opened the week as a DNP on Wednesday due to a calf injury he likely picked up during the Lions' Week 15 loss to the Bills. He was able to log consecutive limited practices to end the week and has progressed enough in his recovery to play in Sunday's NFC North showdown. Branch has played every single defensive snap in three of the Lions' last five games, and over that span he has registered 34 tackles (24 solo) and one pass defense.

DECEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Sunday Branch (calf) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bears, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports.

Impact Branch opened the Lions' week of practice with a DNP, but he's logged two consecutive limited sessions since, so it appears he's trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's divisional contest. The second-year pro from Alabama has impressed this season, recording 84 total tackles and 14 passes defended, including four interceptions, over 13 appearances. If Branch can play through his calf injury in Week 16, he'll start alongside Kerby Joseph as part of Detroit's top safety duo.

DECEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice Thursday Branch (calf) was a limited participant in practice Thursday.

Impact Branch didn't practice Wednesday, but he was able to participate in a limited fashion Thursday. That bodes well for his chance of suiting up Sunday versus Chicago, though the second-year safety could still head into the weekend with an injury designation, especially if he doesn't log a full practice Friday. Branch is coming off a big game Week 15 against Buffalo, as he logged a career-high 14 tackles in a six-point loss.

DECEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nursing calf injury Branch (calf) was listed as a DNP on Wednesday's practice report.

Impact Branch logged a career-high 15 total tackles and played in every defensive snap during the Lions' 48-42 loss to the Bills this past Sunday. However, it appears the second-year safety picked up a calf injury in the process and was sidelined for Detroit's first official practice of the week. Branch will have two more chances to practice this week ahead of Sunday's NFC North clash against the Bears. He's logged 85 tackles (62 solo), 14 pass defenses (including four interceptions) and one forced fumble across 13 regular-season games.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nursing calf injury Branch (calf) was listed as a DNP on Wednesday's practice report.

Impact Branch logged a career-high 15 total tackles and played in every defensive snap during the Lions' 48-42 loss to the Bills this past Sunday. However, it appears the second-year safety picked up a calf injury in the process and was sidelined for Detroit's first official practice of the week. Branch will have two more chances to practice this week ahead of Sunday's NFC North clash against the Bears. He's logged 85 tackles (62 solo), 14 pass defenses (including four interceptions) and one forced fumble across 13 regular-season games.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Career high in tackles in loss Branch recorded 15 total tackles (eight solo) in Sunday's 48-42 loss to Buffalo.

Impact Branch paced the team in takedowns, compiling a career-high 15 stops in the battle between two high-octane offenses. With Detroit's defense banged up, including the secondary, Branch found himself involved in countless plays Sunday. It's the second time this year that the safety reached double-digit tackles and he's now registered 85 total tackles (62 solo), 13 passes defensed, including four interceptions, and a forced fumble over 13 games in 2024.

DECEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not on injury report Wednesday Branch (cramps) does not appear on Detroit's injury report Wednesday.

Impact Branch left the Lions' Week 14 game against the Packers last Thursday early, but it appears he was dealing only with cramps. Since he's not on Detroit's injury report to begin the week, the second-year safety should have no problem suiting up Sunday versus Buffalo. Branch has put up excellent numbers this season, registering 70 tackles (54 solo) and 13 pass defenses, including four interceptions, through 12 contests.

DECEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with cramps Branch is questionable to return to Thursday's game against the Packers due to cramping.

Impact Branch went down late in the fourth quarter and was able to limp off the field. Even if he can't return to Thursday's contest, he's avoided a serious injury.

DECEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Leads team in stops Thursday Branch posted six tackles (five solo) in Thursday's 23-20 win over Chicago.

Impact Branch's tackle total led the Lions in the Thanksgiving Day victory. The safety has recorded at least six stops in eight of his 11 games this season, and he's up to 67 tackles on the campaign -- seven fewer than he registered across 15 contests as a rookie last year. Branch also has four interceptions on the season, making him a valuable IDP asset at his position.

NOVEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

HIGHLIGHT: Michael Pittman Jr. bounces off of Brian Branch for 30-yard catch and run to midfield Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. bounces off of Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch for a 30-yard catch and run to midfiel...

NOVEMBER 24, 2024 • COLTS.COM

Tallies seven tackles vs. Jaguars Branch recorded seven total tackles (five solo) in Sunday's 52-6 win over the Jaguars.

Impact Branch finished Sunday's blowout win as the Lions' second-leading tackler, trailing just Jack Campbell's nine-stop performance. The 23-year-old from Alabama has emerged as one of the best playmakers in the NFL in his second season, recording 57 total tackles and 13 passes defended, including four interceptions, through just nine appearances. He's expected to continue starting alongside Kerby Joseph as part of one of the best safety duos in the NFL in the Week 12 matchup against the Colts.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Double-digit stops in win Branch recorded 10 total tackles (six solo) and two passes defensed in Sunday night's 26-23 win over the Texans.

Impact Branch made his return to the field after being ejected in the first half of the team's Week 9 win over the Packers. The safety notched a season-high 10 tackles while playing all 65 of Detroit's defensive snaps against Houston. Branch is having a very impressive 2024 campaign thus far, compiling 50 total tackles (38 solo), four interceptions, 13 passes defensed and a forced fumble over eight games.

NOVEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Lions' Brian Branch apologizes, Jameson Williams says he's got to 'be smarter' Detroit will have the two back on the field this weekend for “Sunday Night Football” in Houston.

NOVEMBER 7, 2024 • SACBEE.COM

Tom Brady Won't Be Fined For Sunday's Criticism Of NFL, Proving Rule Application To Him Has No Teeth Tom Brady was critical of the NFL ejecting Brian Branch from a game and the league has decided it will not fine the FOX analyst despite rule...

NOVEMBER 7, 2024 • OUTKICK.COM

Lions safety Brian Branch regrets flipping middle fingers to Packers fan after ejection

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch regrets flipping his middle fingers to Green Bay Packers fans at Lambeau Field after getting ejected durin...

NOVEMBER 7, 2024 • FOXNEWS.COM

Lions' Brian Branch Apologizes for Making Obscene Gesture at Crowd After Ejection The defensive back was kicked out Sunday after a helmet-to-helmet hit.

NOVEMBER 7, 2024 • KANSASCITY.COM

Detroit Lions' Brian Branch apologizes for flipping off Lambeau Field crowd The former Alabama defensive back said officials made the right call on the hit that led to his ejection on Sunday.

NOVEMBER 6, 2024 • AL.COM