Detroit Lions Activate Brian Branch And Cade Mays Ahead Of Packers Showdown

Detroit Lions Activate Brian Branch And Cade Mays Ahead Of Packers Showdown© Instagram

Brian Branch's wait is over. Detroit activated the safety from the physically unable to perform list Saturday, clearing him to face Green Bay on Sunday for his first game since tearing his Achilles last December. Center Cade Mays was activated from injured reserve alongside him.

Both players were removed from the game status report ahead of the October 25 meeting at Ford Field. For Branch, it is a return after months of rehabilitation. For Mays, it is the chance to make his Lions debut after a broken wrist interrupted his first training camp with Detroit.

Branch Returns With His Workload Under Watch

Dan Campbell has welcomed Branch back without promising that he will immediately resume an unrestricted workload. Earlier in the week, the Lions coach said expecting 70 plays would be asking a lot of a player returning from that injury.

There is still plenty Detroit can do with him on the field. Campbell has pointed to Branch's ability to work deep or underneath, allowing the defense to change how it uses the players around him.

“He'll make it right,” Campbell said.

That flexibility arrives against Jordan Love and a passing attack with threats at different depths. Christian Watson and Matthew Golden can stretch the field, while tight end Tucker Kraft gives Green Bay another target to account for over the middle.

Detroit does not have to commit Branch to one assignment all afternoon. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard can move him according to the situation, although managing his snaps remains part of the return.

Mays Gets His Chance At Center

Mays signed a three-year, $25 million contract in free agency but has spent the opening portion of the season watching Juice Scruggs handle the center job. Scruggs started Detroit's first five games.

The Lions worked Mays through practice repetitions during Packers week, and Campbell indicated that he wanted to put him into the lineup.

The position makes any transition more complicated than rotating another lineman. Mays will be snapping to Jared Goff and helping organize protection against Jonathan Gannon's defense, which has shown a willingness to bring extra rushers.

Both Mays and Branch were full participants Thursday and Friday. Detroit's Wednesday participation listings were estimates because the team did not practice that day.Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin also finished the week practicing fully after being limited by a hamstring injury.

The Lions enter Sunday at 3–2 following their bye, with Green Bay at 4–2. Detroit made no practice-squad elevations as part of Saturday's roster moves.