The Detroit Lions on Saturday placed Daniel Thomas on injured reserve, sidelining the safety and key special teamer for at least the next four games.
Thomas (forearm), who had been one of Detroit’s starting gunners on punt coverage, played 21 snaps (all on special teams) in the Lions‘ Week 3 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Monday. He went on to be a non-participant at practice this week.
A sixth-year veteran who was signed by the Lions in August, Thomas was already playing through a broken bone in his hand.
The Lions also temporarily elevated wide receiver Jackson Meeks from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s matchup with the Cleveland Browns. Meeks, an undrafted free agent out of Syracuse, was a standout in the preseason, catching 11 of his 12 targets for 176 yards and two touchdowns.
Meeks also played 35 snaps on special teams over four exhibitions, including 13 reps on kick return, eight apiece on kickoff coverage and punt coverage, and six on kick coverage.
Another fine for Branch
Brian Branch has been fined again, this time for a low block against the Ravens.
It’s the third time Branch has been fined this season, and the second for unnecessary roughness. The talented safety picked up two fines in Week 1, one for ripping off the helmet of Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (unnecessary roughness) and another for throwing it (unsportsmanlike conduct).
Branch’s latest fine is for $11,598.
rsilva@detroitnews.com
@rich_silva18
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