Lions rule out Brian Branch

The Lions have ruled S Brian Branch (ankle) out for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Without Branch last week, the Detroit secondary found Kerby Joseph and Tracy Walker at safety with Will Harris manning the slot between CBs Cameron Sutton and Jerry Jacobs.

Lions rookie DB Brian Branch returned Sunday after missing two games with a sprained ankle. But returned to a smaller role than what he left. The second-round pick played 68% and 69% of snaps the first two games. That grew to 100% in Week 3, after the team lost S C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Branch again started in Week 4 and appeared headed for similar use but left that game early with the ankle injury. But in his return game against the Ravens, the rookie played just 50% of snaps. He closed the practice week with a full Friday workout and carried no injury designation into the game. So we're not betting the ankle limited his time. Instead, it appears the Lions preferred to keep more LBs on the field and run fewer alignments of 5+ DBs. That left Branch, the nickel CB, less involved. Based on how Detroit has run its defense otherwise, we're guessing it was a specific shift for Lamar Jackson. It did not work. Branch's usage will make him tough to trust in Week 8 IDP lineups for an upside Raiders matchup. We'll watch for some indication that his playing time will increase.

Lions DB Brian Branch is off the final injury report and ready to play Sunday against the Ravens. The rookie missed the past two games after suffering an ankle sprain against the Packers in Week 4. He finished this week with a full Friday practice, though, and no game designation. Branch said earlier in the week he expected to play. Bet on a return to full playing time. Although he's listed as a safety on most fantasy platforms, Branch has primarily played slot CB. That should keep him busy in this matchup, with Nelson Agholor, Zay Flowers, and Mark Andrews all seeing significant time there. We have bumped the rookie way up our Week 7 DB rankings.

The Lions didn't practice Wednesday but listed DB Brian Branch as a non-participant in their estimated injury report. That doesn't bode well for his Week 5 status. It's been nearly a week since Branch left the Thursday night win at Green Bay with an ankle sprain. We'll see about his status heading into the weekend, but plan on starting someone else in that slot of your IDP lineup. S Kerby Joseph (hip) was listed as limited. He's a candidate to return after missing the past two games.

Tim Twentyman of the team website lists Lions rookie DB Brian Branch as a player who has "stood out" early in training camp. Branch, a second-round pick, has been working in with the first team. He saw time in CB and safety roles at Alabama before dropping to Round 2 after running slow at the Scouting Combine. Detroit presents opportunity for Branch to earn a regular-season role in either position group. We'll keep watching for more specifics on what role he might fill. We've gone ahead and added him to the IDP rankings, though.