The Detroit Lions entered the 2026 season believing that they had one of the deepest and most talented rosters in the NFL. In fact, Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes consistently talked about how happy they were with the state of the roster all offseason. In the first four weeks of the season, however, the Lions' depth has been tested. And it's safe to say that the Lions don't have the deepest or the most talented roster in the league.
Fortunately, head coach Dan Campbell provided an injury update that should give the Lions a boost for the rest of the season. In his weekly appearance on 97.1 The Ticket, Campbell said that both Brian Branch and Cade Mays should return to practice this week. He added that they are waiting on the final call from team doctors, per Lions insider Mike Payton.
Brian Branch & Cade Mays inching towards return after the Lions' bye week
As Campbell clarified afterwards, this doesn't necessarily mean that they will be ready to go in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. If anything, it's rather unlikely that either will be ready on Sunday, especially with the bye week right around the corner.
The more likely scenario is that both players would be ready against the Packers in Week 7. Once Mays and Branch are in practice, the Lions can open their 21-day practice window. This allows the players on the injured reserve/PUP list to practice without counting against the 53-man roster.
Even if neither player suits up against the Cardinals, this is a welcome development for the Lions. Mays was Detroit's most significant offseason signing, but he suffered a wrist fracture this summer that has kept him out for the last few months.
In his absence, Juice Scruggs has done a very good job at center, creating a fascinating decision for Campbell. Whether Mays wins his starting spot right away remains to be seen.
Branch, on the other hand, fills a more immediate need. Detroit's defensive backfield has been a mess all season. DC Kelvin Sheppard and the Lions have been looking for answers, but they haven't found a solution to their disaster of a defense. The Lions arguably have the worst secondary and pass defense in the entire NFL.
Branch should get as many snaps as he can handle right away. Chuck Clark has been holding his own at safety, but the rest of the rotation has left much to be desired. Branch should slot in next to Clark, giving the Lions a major boost on the defensive backfield.
Barring a major surprise, Lions fans will have to wait a little longer before seeing these two veterans back in action. But this is as good an update as they could have realistically hoped for ahead of Week 5.
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