Lions safety Brian Branch received some good news late Thursday. X-rays on his ankle were negative.
So Branch, a second-round pick from Alabama, should be able to continue his amazing rookie season. After all, he kicked it off with a pick six of Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes. Last night’s was a tough one for Branch, considering he twice injured his ankle.
The first time, athletic trainers took him off the field in a cart for a check back in the lockerroom. After a few minutes, Branch returned to the sidelines. After a big-time tape job to better protect his ankle, the safety went back into the game. Then, he tweaked it again and didn’t return.
Mike Garofolo of NFL Network reported that Branch was “limping through the locker room. Sayss X-rays were negative: ‘Nothing broken.’ “
Brian Branch does have some extra time for his ankle to heal. Because the Lions played on Thursday night, they don’t see the field again for 10 days. That’s when Detroit meets the Carolina Panthers. They’re quarterbacked by Bryce Young, Branch’s teammate with the Crimson Tide.
The Lions beat the Packers, 34-20, for early control of the NFC North. Branch led the Lions defense in tackles. Of his seven, five were solo.
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