What Is Brian Branch's Long-Term Injury Status? Latest Rumors on Lions Star's Achilles

After potentially saving their season with a 44-30 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night, the Detroit Lions are bracing for bad news regarding Brian Branch's injury suffered in the fourth quarter.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, tests on Friday confirmed Branch tore his Achilles:

The injury occurred with just under four minutes to play when Branch helped break up a pass intended for Jake Ferguson in the end zone. He appeared to slightly roll his ankle and remained on the ground in pain for a few moments.

Lions medical staff helped Branch off the field and he was taken to the locker room on a cart for evaluation.

Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters after the game he didn't have an official update on Branch's status because they were still gathering information.

Per Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press (h/t Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press), Branch was wearing a walking boot and using crutches to get around after the game.

Branch has been on Lions' official injury report since Week 12 due to a toe injury. The team added an ankle injury to his designation starting in Week 13. He was officially listed as questionable going into the Cowboys game after being a limited practice participant from Monday through Wednesday.

Despite the ankle and toe injuries, Branch was on the field for 74 of Detroit's defensive snaps against the Cowboys prior to exiting in the fourth quarter.

The Lions secondary was already shorthanded entering the game with Kerby Joseph out due to a knee injury. Campbell said on Wednesday they aren't concerned it's a "major problem," but they want to be able to manage it before putting him back on the field.

Cornerback Terrion Arnold is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury that requires surgery.

Branch has been a lynchpin of Detroit's defense since his rookie season in 2023. He ranks second on the team with nine passes defensed, fifth in tackles for loss (five) and fifth in sacks (2.5) in 12 starts this season.