Brian Branch: The Lions, plagued by injuries, are “better than last year” and eager to “get that Super Bowl.”

 

Brian Branch, a defensive back for the Lions, played almost the whole 2024 season, earned his first Pro Bowl, and remained largely healthy during the team’s run for its first Super Bowl. Unfortunately, his one game missed without suffering a significant injury felt like a rarity in Detroit, particularly when it came to the defensive end of the ball. In Week 6, Lions standout pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffered fractures to his tibia and fibula. Prior to it, Detroit suffered season-ending injuries to linebacker Derrick Barnes and pass rusher Marcus Davenport. Following that, defensive tackle Alim McNeill and fellow linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez both tore their ACLs, cornerback Carlton Davis had a broken jaw, and Alex Anzalone missed time due to a broken arm.Nevertheless, Detroit’s walking wounded managed to end with the first seed in the NFC, and even though the Lions didn’t reach their ultimate objective, Branch thinks they’ve learned from their mistakes. Branch told Detroit Free Press reporter Rainer Sabin, “We went through the ups and downs.” “In difficult games, we battled together. We had played a game when our victory was crucial. It simply forces everyone to agree. We feel invincible once we have a group that has embraced the idea and endured hardships. With the return of several of the team’s main on-field players and the improvement over the previous two years, Branch sees a 2025 Lions team that canHowever, Detroit also contributed items. The additions of D.J. Reed, Avonte Maddox, and Rock Ya-Sin have restored depth in the secondary. If 2025 second-round offensive lineman Tate Ratledge follows in the footsteps of recent Lions linemen, he could quickly help to at least lessen the blow of Ragnow leaving football. First-round pick DT Tyleik Williams should also strengthen the trenches where the Lions frequently dominate. Most significantly, aside from players like McNeill and Rodriguez who are recuperating from ACL tears, the Lions will have a largely clear slate in terms of injuries. Although topping or matching 15 regular-season victories will be a difficult feat, Detroit is now looking to postseason victories as the real test of success because they are that good.