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Dan Campbell explains why Brian Branch missed Detroit Lions' win vs. Seattle Seahawks
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- Dan Campbell explains why Brian Branch missed Detroit Lions' win vs. Seattle Seahawks
Brian Branch missed Monday's game against the Seattle Seahawks with an illness, and Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell insisted after the game that Branch's absence had nothing to do with the brain injury he suffered last week.
"No, he passed the protocol," Campbell said. "He's been sick and so we don't know what that is and it's not worth it. I don't know what it is. I know he's sick, so that's what it was."
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.
Branch was a limited participant in practice early last week after he left the Lions' Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals following a helmet-to-helmet collision with tight end Trey McBride .
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Branched passed concussion protocol Saturday and was not given a game designation on the Lions' weekly injury report, making him clear to play against the Seahawks.
The Lions added Branch to the injury report with an illness Sunday and listed him as doubtful for the game.
More: Detroit Lions CB Carlton Davis III: 'I felt as if (refs) were just on the Seahawks side'
Brandon Joseph made his first career start Monday in Branch's absence. He had six tackles and played 89 of a possible 90 defensive snaps in the Lions' 42-29 victory .
The Lions have a slew of injuries to tend to during this week's bye, but could get Branch and Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow back in time for their Week 6 game against the Dallas Cowboys .
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Ragnow suffered a partially torn pectoral muscle against the Cardinals, but finished the game. He did not play Monday against the Seahawks.
The Lions also placed defensive end Marcus Davenport , linebacker Derrick Barnes and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu on injured reserve last week . Davenport is out for the season, Melifonwu must miss at least the next four games and Barnes is out indefinitely with a knee injury.
Campbell said the bye week is coming at a welcome time for his team, though the Lions will face a taxing stretch of 13 games in as many weeks to close the regular season.
"You'd rather have (the bye) at the end of October, November," Campbell said. "But we are, we're banged up a little bit. We play a pretty physical brand of football, we played some physical opponents these first four weeks and so I do think it's coming at a good time. And it's good to get the three (wins). It's good to get to 3-1 with this bye. We rest up, we heal up, we get fresh again, and then we make a big push."
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Dave Birkett will sign copies his new book, " Detroit Lions : An Illustrated Timeline" from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at Pro Sports Zone in Laurel Park Place. Order 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: Why Brian Branch missed Detroit Lions' win vs. Seahawks
