The Lions received unexpected bad news on a key defensive player

Brian Branch, the Detroit Lions’ safety, has encountered another stumbling hurdle in his effort to return to the field against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday.

Branch was injured during the team’s Week 3 victory over the Arizona Cardinals after colliding with tight end Trey McBride helmet-to-helmet. The versatile defensive back was placed in concussion protocol, but appeared to be on track to clear it and return for the September 30 game.

However, Branch suffered a new setback over the weekend, which Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire reported will keep him out of the game.

“The team provided an update that indicates Branch is now doubtful for Monday night’s game against the Seattle Seahawks with an illness,” Risdon wrote. “That info breaking out on Sunday morning is not good at all; no player ever listed with a ‘doubtful’ status has ever played under head coach Dan Campbell.”

Lions Likely Losing Both Top Safeties

Brian Branch, the Detroit Lions’ safety, has encountered another stumbling hurdle in his effort to return to the field against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday.

Branch was injured during the team’s Week 3 victory over the Arizona Cardinals after colliding with tight end Trey McBride helmet-to-helmet. The versatile defensive back was placed in concussion protocol, but appeared to be on track to clear it and return for the September 30 game.

However, Branch suffered a new setback over the weekend, which Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire reported will keep him out of the game.

“Melifonwu, in the final year of his rookie contract, had two interceptions and three sacks in six starts last season after missing 17 games his first two years with injuries,” Birkett wrote.

Risdon stated that undrafted rookie Loren Strickland and second-year player Brandon Joseph will most likely fill the safety position with Branch out.

Branch has been an important player for the Lions this season, shifting to safety from cornerback and starting all three games. He has seven total tackles, one for loss, and an interception.

Branch welcomed the switch to safety, where he played briefly last season, but stated in the winter that he wished the organization had started his conversion sooner.

“Honestly, I wish they did put more reps at safety on me last year, just because I feel like I would be a lot further along than I am now,” Branch said in July, via Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News.

Challenging Week for Brian Branch

Branch appeared fortunate to avoid a serious injury in last week’s game. Both he and McBride lowered their helmets before colliding, and the force sent the Lions safety to the turf, where he stayed motionless for a few moments.

Branch was finally assisted off the field and into the locker room, where he was checked for a concussion.

Although he passed the concussion protocol, Branch faced additional sanctions for the hit on Saturday. As SI.com’s John Maakaron reported, the league fined Branch for his hit on McBride.

“He entered concussion protocol on Sunday following a helmet-to-helmet collision with Cardinals tight end Trey McBride. The league penalized him $10,128 for unnecessary roughness/helmet use in connection with the hit,” Maakaron stated.

Branch received a same sanction for another hit that occurred during a Cardinals field goal.