Lions Dealt Unfortunate News After Cowboys Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Dec 5, 2025 11:02 AM ET

The Detroit Lions earned a big win Thursday over the Dallas Cowboys, improving their playoff hopes with a 44-30 victory. The result pushed their record to 8-5, strengthening their bid for a strong finish in the NFC North.

But the win came at a steep cost: near the end of the fourth quarter, starting safety Brian Branch suffered a serious leg injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game, sparking immediate concern across Detroit’s defense.

Branch’s injury occurred as he attempted to break up a pass intended for Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson in the end zone.

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32).Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Branch leapt, made the play, but landed awkwardly on his right leg; he crumpled to the turf and trainers quickly came out. He was carted off the field and later left the stadium on crutches, wearing a walking boot.

Initial hope that the injury might be manageable vanished on Friday when diagnostic testing confirmed that Branch has torn his Achilles – a season-ending injury, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

The blow is especially harsh for a Lions secondary already depleted by injuries to key players such as Kerby Joseph and Terrion Arnold.

Source: Tests this morning confirmed that Lions star safety Brian Branch has torn his Achilles.

Branch was injured in the fourth quarter. Tough loss for Detroit defensive backfield.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 5, 2025

Branch, 24, has been one of Detroit’s defensive cornerstones this season. In 12 games, he amassed 75 tackles, 2.5 sacks, nine pass breakups, one forced fumble, and served as a leader in the secondary. His combination of coverage ability and playmaking, just one season removed from a Pro Bowl appearance, made him one of the league’s most promising young safeties.

With Branch out, the Lions are expected to turn to fellow safeties Thomas Harper and Avonte Maddox, with possible expanded roles for backup Daniel Thomas – assuming Harper clears concussion protocol. Even so, Detroit’s pass defense will be under pressure in the coming weeks.

Next up is a pivotal road game in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 14, with kickoff scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox. The Lions will need to quickly regroup without one of their defensive anchors if they hope to remain alive in the playoff race.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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