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Brian Branch (illness) doubtful to play for Detroit Lions vs. Seattle Seahawks
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- Brian Branch (illness) doubtful to play for Detroit Lions vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Detroit Lions lost two defensive starters to injury in last week's win over the Arizona Cardinals , and they could be without another key player in the secondary Monday against the Seattle Seahawks .
The Lions added safety Brian Branch to the injury report Sunday with an illness.
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Branch, who left the Cardinals game with a brain injury but cleared concussion protocol on Saturday, is doubtful to play.
The Lions are shorthanded at safety after placing top backup Ifeatu Melifonwu on injured reserve Saturday. Melifonwu has not played this season because of an Achilles/ankle injury, but he finished last season as the starter next to Kerby Joseph when Branch played primarily as a slot cornerback.
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Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) breaks a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Brandon Joseph , who played five defensive snaps last week after Branch was injured on a helmet-to-helmet hit with Cardinals tight end Trey McBride in the fourth quarter, is expected to start if Branch can't play. The Lions also will have new starters at defensive end ( Josh Paschal ) and outside linebacker ( Malcolm Rodriguez ) after Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes left the Cardinals game with long-term injuries .
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Branch has one interception and leads the Lions with seven pass breakups and 22 tackles. He was fined $10,128 for his hit on McBride, and the same amount for another unnecessary roughness infraction late in the first half.
Dave Birkett is the author of the new book, " Detroit Lions : An Illustrated Timeline." Preorder it now from Reedy Press .
Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Brian Branch (illness) doubtful to play for Detroit Lions vs Seahawks
