Help is on the way for the 3-2 Detroit Lions. While having the bye week so early in the season is usually a concern, it may have worked like a charm for Dan Campbell's team, especially with a divisional matchup ahead.
The Lions were pretty banged up to start the season, and while their offense has done just fine despite that, the defense has struggled to keep opposing offenses off the field, especially in coverage.
That's why it's so great to know that, barring a shocking turn of events, center Cade Mays and star safety Brian Branch will make their season debuts in Week 7 against the Green Bay Packers, according to head coach Dan Campbell.
Cade Mays and Brian Branch will play against the Packers
According to a report by Lions beat writer Nola Bianchi, Coach Campbell claimed that both players would be available for Week 7, though Mays might rotate with Juice Scruggs, who has done a great job in his absence.
Branch, on the other hand, should be given a longer leash. As solid as Keith Abney II looked at safety against the Arizona Cardinals, he's a rookie, and the Packers' passing game can pose a major threat against this defense.
Also, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard claimed that Branch probably could've played in Week 5. So, this might be just a case of erring on the side of caution with his injured star, who should feel like a trapped bull just waiting to be unleashed.
The Lions are also missing Kerby Joseph, and while there's still no word on his return from a nagging knee injury, Branch sounded optimistic about his ability to suit up at some point in the season. In the meantime, Abney and Branch should hold down the fort.
As for Mays, he was one of the team's biggest offseason additions, but the offensive line has looked the part without him. Scruggs has done a great job, and they might want to slide him to left guard to bolster this unit even more with Mays' return.
It feels like this team finally has some momentum after a concerning start to the campaign. And while Branch's return won't single-handedly fix everything that's broken in the secondary, his hard-hitting nature, ball-hawking skills, and versatility should give them a much-needed boost.
The Packers are a tough opponent to get through, and this team will need as much help as they can get to make it two wins in a row.
Add us as a preferred source on Google