The Detroit Lions picked up a crucial victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football. However, it came at a price, as one of their best defenders suffered a devastating injury.
Lions DB Brian Branch Suffers Injury
Source: Tests this morning confirmed that Lions star safety Brian Branch has torn his Achilles.
Branch was injured in the fourth quarter. Tough loss for Detroit defensive backfield.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 5, 2025
Lions safety Brian Branch exited the fourth quarter of the Lions’ 44-30 win over the Cowboys.
Initial reports of the injury are unfortunate.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Branch has torn his Achilles. The Lions have not announced the injury, as they are running more tests and seeking other opinions to determine the extent of the tear.
If it is an Achilles tear, Branch will miss the rest of the 2025 season and possibly some of the 2026 campaign.
Branch has quickly become one of the Lions’ defensive leaders. Detroit selected Branch out of Alabama in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Branch’s impact on the field was immediate, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2024.
Branch has 75 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 12 games this year.
In 2024, injuries, especially on defense, derailed the Lions’ season, culminating in an upset loss to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round.
This year has been much of the same story. The Lions’ secondary has struggled to stay healthy all season. Cornerback Terrion Arnold recently underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. Safety Kerby Joseph has been out since suffering a knee injury in Week 6.
Detroit Lions’ Playoff Chances
The play that Brian Branch injured his Achilles on shouldn’t have even happened because of a false start the officials missed… https://t.co/U1yo9zzKq4 pic.twitter.com/d19fr5UHP2
— Eazy (@SpeakEZsports_) December 5, 2025
The Branch injury adds another wrinkle to a team fighting for a playoff spot.
The Lions stayed alive in the playoff hunt with a win on Thursday night. Jared Goff threw for 309 yards and one touchdown.
The tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 103 yards and four rushing touchdowns.
With the victory, the Lions are 8-5 and have a 53% chance of making the playoffs, per NFL.com.
The Chicago Bears are 9-3 and in first place in the NFC North. The NFC’s three wild-card teams are the Seattle Seahawks (9-3), Green Bay Packers (8-3-1), and San Francisco 49ers (9-4).
Barring a collapse, it will be tough for the Lions to surpass the Packers in the standings. Green Bay won both matchups against the Lions this season.
The team that might provide the best path for the Lions to make the postseason is the Bears. Detroit already has a victory over Chicago, and the two teams will square off in Week 18. If the Lions win out and the Bears lose one game from now until Week 18, the final game will be a win-and-in scenario.
The Lions face the Los Angeles Rams (9-3) on Dec. 14.
