ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Dan Campbell, head coach of the Detroit Lions, discussed the recent situation involving Brian Branch and how the team is managing frustration and discipline.
Campbell said, “He knows that. We’ve talked about it. I saw him yesterday before all this came down, and so he understands all that. You know, he knows he can’t react that way, and he’ll be better for this. So he’ll learn from it.”
He emphasized the emotional intensity of the game, saying, “It’s an emotionally charged game. Obviously, very physical, a lot of stuff going on.”
On how players balance aggression with smart play, Campbell said, “Our players know that. I mean, look, it was this one instance of something that happened, and, you know, it doesn’t matter what led to it. We all know it’s no different than you’re driving down the road and uh, something happens on the highway, right? You can’t take out your aggression on somebody else. Can’t cross that line.”
Campbell praised Branch as “an outstanding young man” who “made a mistake and uh he’ll learn from it.”
When asked about replacing Branch’s impact on the defense, Campbell noted, “It’s no different than when you lose guys that you really depend on and have high production, you know, the next guy’s got to step up and serve a role for us, help us out, and then you it’s got to spread throughout the rest of your team, man.”
Campbell added, “We just got to help each other out.”
Alim McNeill
Regarding Alim McNeill‘s readiness to return, Campbell said, “He looked good last week. He’s the last two weeks he’s looked good. He’s getting more comfortable. Legs are under him. He’s physically ready. And so, I think we’re all hopeful.”
Mindset after tough loss to Chiefs
On the team’s mindset after a tough loss, Campbell said, “It just puts a little extra sense of urgency on you. It puts a little bit of you know, it’s just that bad taste, man. It, you know, it’s it just sometimes gives you that extra kick to uh to get things back to where they need to be.”
Campbell expressed excitement about upcoming challenges, “I mean that that actually fires me up because you do you have to be on point. You don’t get the luxury of making a mistake here and making mistakes there against these types of teams that we’re getting ready to play.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers MNF
Campbell shared his thoughts on facing Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have the best record in the NFC.
“They’re playing hot football. It’s a very good team,” Campbell said.
Campbell expressed respect for Mayfield’s play and leadership.
“Baker, you guys know I got a lot of respect for him. The way he plays, his leadership, his ability to push the ball down the field, make plays with his legs — I just think he’s playing at a high level.”
Campbell noted that Mayfield is a key factor in the team’s competitiveness.
“He’s a guy that gives them a chance anytime they’re in a game,” Campbell said.
Campbell also praised the team’s defense and offensive line.
“They play really good defense. They got a good old line — those guys are tough, physical, and they play hard,” Campbell said.
Campbell added that the team has a strong running game and overall solid units.
“They have a run game, and they got a good special teams unit. It’s a good team. It’s a really good team,” Campbell said.
Managing injuries
He also discussed managing injuries, particularly with players Taylor Decker and Kerby Joseph.
Campbell said, “It’ll be the same. I mean, I would say it’s very much the same if uh, you know, if it’s something we feel like, first of all, he can’t produce, right? I mean, that’ll always go that way.”
Regarding injured players Terrion Arnold, Avonte Maddox, and Marcus Davenport, Campbell said they are likely to return after the bye week, with Marcus not expected back before then.
On Malcolm Rodriguez’s ACL recovery, Campbell said, “Hopefully we’re hoping after the buy, we can start rolling him out there a little bit, get him going.”
Controversial trick play
On the controversial trick play penalty on the opening drive involving quarterback Jared Goff, Campbell took responsibility: “I take full responsibility for that. I do you know and players did exactly what we told them to do. Goff did exactly what we told him to do. David (Montgomery) did, and I will take that.”
Campbell declined to comment on penalty differentials, saying, “I don’t, I don’t, I don’t.”
Individual performances
Campbell praised individual performances despite the loss, highlighting D.J. Reader‘s effort: “D.J. Reader played his tail off that whole game start to finish, man.”
On the running back rotation with Jahmyr Gibbs and Montgomery, Campbell said, “I know that it’s a little more tilted towards Jah right now. And a lot of that comes in the two-minute reps that we get.”
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