Detroit, MI . December 5, 2025
The Detroit Lions received devastating news Friday morning after confirming that star safety Brian Branch suffered a torn Achilles during the fourth quarter of the team’s 44-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys. The injury ends his season immediately and delivers a crushing blow to a secondary already battered by absences.
Branch’s loss compounds a growing crisis in Detroit’s defensive backfield. Kerby Joseph remains sidelined long-term, Terrion Arnold is already out for the year, And Thomas Harper left the game with a concussion in the first half. With an exhausted defense and a demanding playoff schedule at the end of the season, the Lions were forced to act quickly.
That urgency led the team to move immediately on Friday, scheduling a workout with Ex-Broncos All-Pro Justin Simmons, the top veteran safety available on the market. Detroit hopes Simmons can step in as a stabilizing force, replacing Branch’s presence and production as the Lions fight to stay in control of their postseason path.
Simmons offers exactly what Detroit needs at this moment: elite range, proven ball skills, and veteran leadership. The former Denver standout logged seven straight seasons with at least three interceptions and served as the backbone of the Broncos’ secondary before his release. His arrival in Detroit for a rapid evaluation underscores how critical the situation has become.
Head coach Dan Campbell emphasized both the emotional weight of losing Branch and the necessity of responding decisively.
“You don’t replace a player like Brian, but you find someone who can steady the ship and compete every snap,”
Campbell said. “The urgency is real. We’re exploring every option.”
At 8-5, the Lions remain firmly positioned in the NFC playoff race — but with a decimated secondary and the red-hot Los Angeles Rams looming on December 14, the need for reinforcements has never been greater.
Whether Simmons becomes the next man up could shape the rest of Detroit’s season.
Stay tuned to ESPN!
