Brian Branch is Working His Way Back
Last week, Dan Campbell gave us the kind of injury update that tells you absolutely nothing while technically saying something. When asked about Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, and Sam LaPorta, Campbell’s response was classic coach-speak: “They’re all improving. None of them are practicing. It’s the best I can tell you.”
Thanks, coach. Real illuminating stuff there.
But this week we finally got some actual visual evidence that Branch is making progress from that torn Achilles he suffered in early December. And honestly, after months of radio silence, we’ll take whatever we can get.
Signs of Life from the Pro Bowl Safety
A couple of Instagram pages shared photos and videos of Branch working through his rehab process. The first came from Christian Van Buren, a former college football player and current performance specialist whose account showed Branch flipping tires and working with medicine balls. You know, the kind of grunt work that tells you someone is serious about getting back.
Then Branch appeared in a promotional video for Dallas Sports Physical Therapy Clinic (AKA Athlete RX), where he talked about his recovery process and his trust in the people helping him get back to form.
“That three years with a strong enough relationship where any injury I had, I know they would get me right—not just get me right, but get me back quicker, too,” Branch said. “Them being who they are and just me trusting them, they helped me a long way.”
The Cautious Optimism Department
Branch also mentioned how the rehab work translates directly to field work, saying “From doing rehab and going to the field, I feel like it’s easy working with them. I pretty much do a lot in here, like stuff I would do on the field, and by the time I get on the field, it’s pretty much like making a layup.” That’s the kind of confidence you want to hear from a guy working his way back from a major injury.
Is it much? No. But it’s progress, and after months of wondering what the hell was going on with our Pro Bowl safety, progress is progress.
The fact that Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, who tore his Achilles less than a week after Branch, has already been cleared for 7-on-7 work gives a little more reason for optimism. Maybe Branch isn’t as far away as we thought.
Then again, this is the Lions, and we’ve learned not to count our chickens before they’re not just hatched but fully grown and playing in meaningful games. But hey, tire flips are better than nothing.
Think Branch makes it back for the start of the season or are we looking at another classic Lions injury timeline? Drop your prediction below.
Finally some actual proof that Branch is doing the work to get back. Those tire flips and medicine ball videos got me feeling a lot better about where he’s at in his recovery. If he can get on the field for Week 1 that’s huge for our secondary.
I mean I’m glad to see him working but let’s pump the brakes a little. Campbell won’t even say he’s practicing yet and we’re all hyped because of Instagram videos. I hope he makes it back but I’ve seen this movie before with other guys coming off Achilles injuries. Actions speak louder than words when he’s actually running drills with the team.
You know what I like about this coaching staff is they’re being honest and not overpromising. Back in the day we’d get all these vague injury updates and half the time guys would never come back the same. Campbell and Holmes seem to actually care about getting these guys right instead of just throwing them back out there. Branch looks locked in with his rehab and that matters.
That comparison to Daniel Jones is interesting but not exactly apples to apples right. Either way seeing Branch putting in that work and trusting the process with his rehab team is exactly what you want to see. The confidence in his voice about how the rehab translates to the field is what gets me excited.