The Detroit Lions’ rookie safety, Brian Branch, faced an unfortunate turn of events during Thursday Night Football at Lambeau Field. In the third quarter of the game, Branch was forced to leave the field on a cart due to an ankle injury sustained during a play.

Branch’s injury occurred in the third quarter when he went down after taking a block. Following this incident, Detroit immediately designated him as “questionable to return” for the remainder of the game, as reported during the Amazon Prime broadcast. Additionally, the broadcast mentioned that medical personnel promptly took Branch for an X-ray on his injured ankle.

Branch, a second-round pick by the Detroit Lions in the 2023 NFL Draft from the University of Alabama, had quickly established himself as a significant presence in the Lions’ defense during his rookie season.

Despite the initial setback, there was a glimmer of hope as Branch returned to the sideline after being carted off, where he received attention for his ankle, indicating that the injury may not be too severe.

In his first three games of the season, Branch made an impact with 18 tackles, including three tackles for loss. Notably, he also achieved a pick-six in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, intercepting a pass from league MVP Patrick Mahomes.

Branch’s pick-six in that game occurred in the third quarter, with the Lions trailing the Chiefs 14-7. The interception came off a pass intended for Kadarius Toney, as Branch demonstrated his defensive prowess.

This early touchdown marked the beginning of what could be an exciting NFL career for Branch. It’s worth noting that Mahomes had thrown just three pick-sixes in his career prior to this particular play.

Brian Branch’s journey to the NFL began during his time at the University of Alabama, where he appeared in 37 career games from 2020 to 2022. During his college career, he amassed impressive stats, including 172 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 23 pass break-ups, four interceptions, and a fumble recovery with the Crimson Tide.

Transitioning from college to the NFL can be challenging, but Branch has proven to be a valuable asset for the Lions in his rookie season. If he can maintain his health, this former Alabama standout could be poised for a standout season with Detroit.