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.
