The Detroit Lions got their 44–30 win over the Dallas Cowboys; but suffered a brutal blow when safety Brian Branch tore his Achilles tendon in the fourth quarter. Tests confirmed the worst fears: Branch will miss the rest of 2025.
The injury happened when Branch leaped to break up a pass in the end zone. He landed awkwardly, limped off with trainers, and was carted off the field. Initially described as an ankle problem, subsequent imaging revealed a full Achilles rupture.
At just 24 and coming off a Pro Bowl 2024 season, Branch had established himself as one of Detroit’s defensive cornerstones. This year, he had started every game, accumulating 75 tackles, 2.5 sacks, nine passes defensed and seeing heavy snap counts.
Coach Dan Campbell admitted after the game that he feared long-term damage. “He didn’t finish the game,” Campbell said. “We’ll know more tomorrow.” That tomorrow confirmed the worst.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Detroit’s secondary was already stretched thin; with cornerback changes and injuries elsewhere, Branch’s loss now leaves a glaring hole in the backfield.
NFL-level Achilles recovery can take 9–12 months. But even top-tier athletes face questions about explosiveness, agility and long-term durability. Sources familiar with such injuries warn that time-and-rehab don’t always return a player to pre-injury form.
For Detroit, that may mean scrambling to plug holes in their defensive backfield immediately; potentially promoting from the practice squad or acquiring veteran help. For Branch, it means starting from scratch in 2026, fighting to reclaim speed, timing, and confidence.
The Lions now head into their next game likely without one of their most complete defensive playmakers; a loss that could ripple through their defensive scheme, their playoff hopes, and their offseason planning.
