When Detroit Lions star defensive back Brian Branch returns to the field in the next few weeks, many around the team hope they’ll get the same player everyone was used to seeing before he suffered an Achilles injury in December of 2025. However, Branch has also gone through a change on his long journey back to the field, as The Athletic’s Dan Pompei profiled his latest Brian Branch highlight. Then the Lions star made a promise that changed everything.
“Man, he’s a pit bull,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said of his star safety. “He’s not mindless, but he has the attitude that he’s ready to fight and mix it up. It doesn’t matter how big you are. He’s fearless.”
That will always be part of Branch’s game. He’s not reckless, but he plays the game in a way that his opponents will always feel for him. Most of the time, that’s a positive. Especially in the hyper-competitive world that is the National Football League. However, later it bites him, and that’s when he hopes to change. Controlling anger instead of completely losing your cool.
You can read the full story from Pompei right here, and learn how Branch’s love for his dog led him to a rekindling friendship that set him on the course he’s on today.
Now to the rest of this week’s notes:
- Rich Eisen doesn’t want to hear anything about closing the windows in Detroit.
- See what drives Lions star running back Jahmyr Gibbs in this great video put together by the Lions media team. Dragon Ball Z fans —you’ll want to watch this one. Trust me.
- 97.1’s Will Burchfield is back with another awesome feature story, this time featuring Lions defensive end DJ Wonnum.
- For many reasons, it’s really hard not to love Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams.
- DetroitLions.com’s Tim Twentyman breaks down Lions quarterback Jared Goff’s impressive start to 2026.
- And in case you missed it, it looks like the Lions will be wearing the black jerseys for their Week 7 showdown with the Green Bay Packers.
- Over on The Feed, user “UpAllNight” gave credit to Lions linebacker Jack Campbell, who played himself into one of the better tight ends in the game today.