Lions Welcome Back Key Players to Practice Sessions
WHO:
detroitlions.com - Pro Bowl safety Brian Branch returned to practice.
detroitlions.com - Center Cade Mays also returned to practice.
detroitlions.com - Lions head coach Dan Campbell commented on Branch's return.
detroitlions.com - Lions pass game specialist David Shaw expressed excitement about Mays' return.
WHAT:
detroitlions.com - Brian Branch stated, "It was very fun... I love this game and you can't take this game for granted. That's (what this) taught me during this time off."
detroitlions.com - Lions head coach Dan Campbell mentioned that Branch's return would help alleviate stress on other players in the defense, stating, "It helps the guys around him. It makes the guys next to him better because this guy will be where he's supposed to be."
detroitlions.com - Campbell noted that rookie defensive back Keith Abney II could see a bigger role on defense, stating, "I think Abney will probably help us out a little bit more here this week."
Heavy NFL - Brian Branch stated, "I told them, I’m starving since I got injured," expressing his eagerness to return to the field.
Heavy NFL - It is unlikely that Branch will return to the NFL field for a regular-season snap until Week 7.
detroitlions.com - Brian Branch stated, "I missed being back out there. It's been a long time coming. What 10 months? There's nothing like being back out there, especially with this group of guys."
detroitlions.com - Branch is the only player since at least 1999 to accumulate 30 passes defended, 15 tackles for loss, five interceptions, 4.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles through the first three seasons of a player's career.
detroitlions.com - Lions head coach Dan Campbell mentioned that rookie defensive back Keith Abney II could see a bigger role on defense, stating, "I think Abney will probably help us out a little bit more here this week."
detroitlions.com - Abney has played just 25 snaps on defense through Detroit's first four games, allowing two receptions for one yard.
detroitlions.com - Branch participated in individual drills with the defensive backs.
detroitlions.com - Branch was placed on the physically unable to perform list to start the season.
detroitlions.com - The Lions have three weeks to activate players from the PUP list to the 53-man roster.
detroitlions.com - Detroit lost three of their final four games after Branch's injury last season.
detroitlions.com - The Lions rank last in the NFL in pass defense and points allowed through the first four games of the season.
detroitlions.com - Branch had 69 tackles (45 solo), five tackles for loss, eight passes defended, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in 11 games last season.
detroitlions.com - Mays is currently on Reserve/Injured after suffering a wrist injury that required surgery.
detroitlions.com - Detroit has allowed tight ends to catch 37 passes for 407 yards and six touchdowns through four contests.
WHERE:
detroitlions.com - The practice took place at the Lions' facility.
WHEN:
detroitlions.com - Branch's injury occurred in a Week 14 win over Dallas last December.
detroitlions.com - The Lions will face the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday.
WHY:
detroitlions.com - Campbell indicated that both scheme and personnel changes could be coming after last week's loss in Carolina.
detroitlions.com - The Lions have missed Branch and fellow safety Kerby Joseph in the lineup.
detroitlions.com - Campbell noted that Branch's return would help alleviate stress on other players in the defense.
HOW:
detroitlions.com - The Lions have opened the practice window for both Branch and Cade Mays, giving them 21 days to be activated and join the roster.
Heavy NFL - The Lions have opened the practice window for both Branch and Cade Mays, giving them 21 days to be activated and join the roster.
detroitlions.com - Branch is working on getting the "rust off" during practice.
detroitlions.com - The team is opening the practice window for both Branch and Mays, allowing them to return to practice.
The Detroit Lions have opened the practice window for Brian Branch and Cade Mays, giving them 21 days to be activated and join the roster. Branch expressed his excitement about returning to the game, saying, "It was very fun... I love this game and you can't take this game for granted." Head coach Dan Campbell noted that Branch's return will help alleviate stress on the defense and mentioned that rookie defensive back Keith Abney II could see a larger role this week.