Branch registered 74 tackles, one sack, 13 pass breakups, three interceptions, one defensive touchdown and one forced fumble over 15 games in 2023.

EDGE Analysis

Impressing at both safety and nickelback as a rookie, Branch ultimately settled in at the latter position despite the Lions spending $6.5 million to bring in C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who was moved to safety to accommodate. Branch ultimately finished the year tied for 12th among cornerbacks in both PBUs and picks. While it remains possible that the Alabama product could see added responsibilities at safety again in the future, he at least seems to be locked in at the nickelback spot entering 2024.

Branch (wrist) has returned to Sunday's game against the Vikings, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Branch left Sunday's game for a short period of time to deal with a wrist injury. It appears the issue is not serious, as he has returned to the field.

Branch (wrist) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Vikings, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Branch sustained a wrist injury in the second half of Sunday's game and walked with trainers to the locker room. He had one solo tackle before exiting the game.

Branch recorded six tackles (five solo) including a sack and a forced fumble, and an interception in Sunday's 30-24 win at Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

Early in the second quarter, Branch came blazing through the B gap on a blitz and dislodged the ball from the hands of Nick Mullens. That play didn't result in a turnover, but Branch had already achieved that himself in the first quarter with his third pick of the season. The rookie second-rounder is starting to look like he was a home-run pick for the Lions.

Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said that Branch will focus on nickel cornerback, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports. "...I wanted to make sure that I dial it back for (Branch), let him focus on nickel, let him play nickel, and I thought it was a really good game for him. As far as the stats because he didn't get a chance to be high productive like he's been, but I thought he did a really good job in just playing nickel," Glenn said.

EDGE Analysis

Branch logged at least six tackles and 93 percent of the playing time between in all but one game between Week 8 and Week 13, but he has not topped three tackles or 73 percent of the defensive snaps in either of the two games since then. Meanwhile, Ifeatu Melifonwu saw almost every snap and had an extremely productive game. While Branch was likely set for a dip in playing time regardless given the impending return of C.J. Gardner-Johnson (pectoral), his IDP value will take a hit if he is not even a candidate to see snaps at safety going forward.

Branch logged seven total tackles (three solo), one pass deflection and one interception in Sunday's 33-28 win over the Saints.

EDGE Analysis

The 2023 second-round pick's seven stops were tied for the second-most on Detroit during Sunday's contest, bringing his season total up to 58 tackles. Branch also snagged the second interception of his young career, setting up the Lions' offense for an easy touchdown in the first quarter. The nickel safety is making a tremendous impact on Detroit's defense in his first season, ranking first on the team in pass deflections and tackles for loss, and he'll look to continue causing problems for opposing offenses as the year goes on.

Branch totaled eight tackles (three solo) in Thursday's Week 12 loss to the Packers.

EDGE Analysis

Branch's eight stops led Detroit and were his most since he racked up 11 tackles against Atlanta in Week 3. The 22-year-old has been a fairly reliable IDP option over the Lions' past four games with an average of of six stops per game during that span. Branch has been one of the league's top defensive rookies this year, notching 51 tackles (36 solo) and an interception (which he returned for a touchdown) over nine contests.

Branch (ankle) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game at the Ravens, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Branch will return from a two-game absence in Week 7, as he is now apparently back to full strength after sustaining an ankle injury in Week 4 at Green Bay. He should start as Detroit's slot corner Sunday.

Branch (ankle) said Thursday that he'll play against the Ravens this Sunday, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Branch missed the past two games and was a limited practice participant both Wednesday and Thursday this week. He's listed as a safety on most fantasy sites but has taken a vast majority of his snaps as a slot corner and quickly become a fan favorite in Detroit. The rookie second-round pick has 25 tackles (21 solo), four pass defenses and a pick-six in four appearances.

Branch (ankle) was limited in Detroit's walkthrough Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Branch has missed the team's past two games with an ankle injury but is now one step closer to returning to the field. The rookie second-round pick will look to return to action versus the Ravens on Sunday and help slow down Lamar Jackson and the rest of the offense.