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The Detroit Lions have a must-win game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, December 4, and things just got worse.
The Detroit Lions took a major hit to their secondary when safety Brian Branch went down with a torn Achilles, an injury that will end his season and take a significant chunk out of 2026 as well.
The injury makes Detroit’s path back to the playoffs even more difficult, but the team could find some help in the form of a Pro Bowl free agent. SI.com’s Christian Booher suggested the Lions could give a call to Justin Simmons, who has been waiting for a team to sign him and could help plug a big hole in the secondary in Detroit.
Lions Need Some Help
Booher noted that Simmons has not played in the NFL since the 2024 season with the Atlanta Falcons, but could be coaxed back to the field with the prospect of taking on a big role with a contending team.
“A two-time Pro Bowl selection and a four-time Second Team All-Pro, the 32-year-old has been out of the league the entire season,” Booher wrote. “However, he has expressed some interest in signing with a team down the stretch, and the opportunity to play for a contending team like Detroit could be enticing.”
Booher added that Simmons wouldn’t need to return to his Pro Bowl form to make a difference with the Lions.
“Even if Simmons isn’t his peak self, his instincts and ability to find and take the ball away would be a nice addition for the Lions amidst the injuries,” Booher added.
Simmons has spoken about returning to the NFL, telling Kay Adams on “Up & Adams” that he wouldn’t mind joining the defensive-minded Houston Texans if they came calling.
“Yeah, that would be awesome. I think it would be game-changing to play for DeMeco [Ryans]. I’ve heard nothing but great things,” Simmons said. “That would be a dream to be able to go with Houston. Right now, there’s not much talk, but that could change now that they’re back in the mix and hoping to make a run, so we’ll see.”
Lions Reeling at the Wrong Time
Though the Lions were able to recover from their Thanksgiving Day loss to the Green Bay Packers with a big win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, they remain outside the playoff picture. The Athletic noted that their odds of reaching the postseason improved to 45% from 30% before Thursday’s win, but they may need to win out in order to secure a playoff spot.
Losing Branch to a torn Achilles will make that path even more difficult. The Lions had already lost fellow safety Kerby Joseph, who missed the last seven games with a knee injury.
Branch is one of the top players in the secondary for the Lions, making the Pro Bowl in 2024 while making a career-high four interceptions and adding 109 total tackles and four passes defensed.
The Lions will have the benefit of extra time to sort out their next moves in the secondary. They travel to Los Angeles to take on the NFC West-leading Rams after a 10-day rest.
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Previously he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as the assistant editor of athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He is based out of Rochester, New York, and loves everything football. More about Nathan Dougherty
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