The Detroit Lions were dealt the suspension news that they were expecting since the moment Brian Branch's hand connected with JuJu Smith-Schuster's face after the Chiefs game that resulted in a brawl. The NFL handed the Lions defender a one-game suspension that he will serve against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night.
Even though this was expected, it it still a massive blow for the Lions, who are already short-handed in the secondary. Terrion Arnold and DJ Reed are out indefinitely, Khalil Dorsey landed on the injured reserve list, and Avonte Maddox missed Week 6. Branch's absence will force another re-shuffling of the defensive backfield in Detroit. One name that could emerge as a possibility to start is Thomas Harper.
Thomas Harper May Have Earned More Defensive Snaps in Brian Branch's Absence
Harper just saw his first defensive snaps as a Lion on Sunday. His defensive debut couldn't have gone any better as he finished the game as the highest-graded Lions defender on Pro Football Focus. In his ten snaps, he received a 87.5 defensive and 80.8 coverage grade lining up as a free safety. His stint was highlighted by an impressive breakup on a pass intended for Xavier Worthy in the second quarter.
This could be the start of Harper's career as a productive backup for the Lions after making the team as one of the final roster spots upon getting claimed off waivers before the start of the season. Last season, he landed on the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent rookie, and made an immediate impact, even starting five games. He finished with an interception, half a sack, one QB hit, and two passes defended despite only playing 19% of the team's snaps on defense.
For some reason, however, the Raiders decided to move on from him at the roster cutdown day. One team's trash, however, can be another's treasure in the NFL. Harper, who has been a part of the special teams unit to start the season, is now on the verge of slowly earning a role in the rotation.
Other options for Dan Campbell and DC Kelvin Sheppard in Branch's absence are Loren Strickland, Erick Hallet, and if he is able to return from injury, Maddox. Strickland and Hallett have yet to take a defensive snap for the Lions, suggesting that they may be behind Harper in the pecking order. Maddox has taken snaps at safety for the Lions this season despite exclusively being a nickel corner for the Eagles in recent years. It will likely be between him and Harper for the starting role, and after what the latter has shown in Week 6, Lions fans will want to see more of him against the Bucs.