Jan. 22, 2026, 5:45 p.m. ET

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon in Week 14 of the 2025 season, a serious injury that required surgery and ended his year.

Full analysis, timeline of Branch Achilles injury: Visit Jimmy Liao’s full Branch injury analysis.

Recovery is expected to take around 10–11 months, likely delaying his return until mid-2026 season, and he’ll likely start training camp on the PUP list. While most players can return after this injury, his long-term performance level isn’t guaranteed—even though some NFL players have had successful comebacks. Branch is 24 years old and under contract through the 2026 season.

Here is an excerpt of my analysis of Branch’s injury:

Branch had many minor injuries to his right leg prior to the Achilles rupture. His Achilles may have already been compromised leading up to the moment of rupture. It’s also possible that the injuries in the preceding weeks to surrounding areas caused extra strain on the calf muscle and Achilles tendon.

The Achilles rupture may have been a culmination of all those antecedent factors coupled with the awkward landing mechanism with external rotation strain of the ankle…

A recovery around 10-11 months is the hope, although a long-term injury like this can have a good amount of variation. If he can return in 10 months, then he would be back on the field in October. Starting training camp on PUP (physically unable to perform) list seems likely. – Jimmy Liao MD

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Branch was drafted in the second round (45th overall) out of Alabama in 2023. As of January 2026, he has played in 43 regular-season games with career totals of 258 tackles, 38 passes defended, seven interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and 4.5 sacks.

The 24-year-old earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2024 and was having another good year before his Achilles injury.

With the Lions’ other star safety, Kerby Joseph, also dealing with a significant injury, the offseason recovery status of Branch will be closely watched.

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