An early bye is broadly not considered ideal for NFL teams, but it's coming at a good time for the Detroit Lions in terms of injuries even with a turn toward good news after a run of injuries in Week 3.
Safety Brian Branch suffered a concussion on a helmet-to-helmet collision with tight end Trey McBride in the Week 3 game against the Cardinal. But after being a full participant last Friday and Saturday, he did not have an injury designation for Monday night's game against the Seattle Seahawks on the final full injury report for the week.
On Sunday, Branch was downgraded to doubtful for Monday night's game due to an illness. A Lions' player listed as doubtful for a game has never played under Dan Campbell, so Branch may as well of been downgraded to out and he indeed was inactive against the Seahawks.
Brandon Joseph made his first career start Monday night in Branch's place. He had six tackles and played 89 of a possible 90 defensive snaps in the win over Seattle.
Brian Branch injury update: Will he be good to go in Week 6?
During his postgame press conference Monday night, Campbell was asked if Branch's illness was a residual of his concussion.
"No, he passed the protocol," Campbell said. "He’s been sick and so we don’t know what that is and it’s not worth it. I don’t know what it is. I know he’s sick, so that’s what it was.”
With the downgrade in his game status, it was easy to wonder if Branch's illness was somehow related to his brain injury. Concussions are tricky, with non-linear recovery at times and setbacks in play. Campbell might not say so if it was the case, but he said that was not the case. Branch cleared concussion protocol (as assumed by his carry no designation on the last full injury report for last week), and he was simply sick.
All in all, Branch should be 100 percent and ready to go when the Lions return to action in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys.
