After having surgery on his lower left leg, Detroit Lions cornerback Brian Branch will not be able to play until training camp. In late April, Branch was spotted in Detroit at the NFL Draft on a one-legged scooter.

Branch is making good progress, but he will miss the remaining team activities and the mini-camp that takes place next month, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

According to Birkett, Lions coach Dan Campbell stated, “He had a little cleanup there.” “After something from last year, we believed things may get better, but in the end, we realized we had to get this resolved. That’s where he is, anyway. In addition, I believe he enjoys using the scooter. However, we think he’s progressing nicely. We believe he will be prepared for camp, if not ahead of schedule, then at least with enough reps to be ready for the season. We currently feel like way.”

Branch had a fantastic 2023 rookie campaign. After being selected in the second round out of Alabama, he soon gained a reputation for making huge plays. With 74 tackles, he also had three interceptions.

During Detroit’s 21–20 season-opening victory over the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, Branch made his NFL debut with a pick–six. He caught a throw from Pat Mahomes that escaped Kadarius Toney’s grasp and returned it 50 yards for the touchdown. In the Rookie of the Year voting, Branch tied for fifth place.

After hurting his right ankle during a victory against the Green Bay Packers in Week 4, he missed two games.

Kerby Joseph, the starting safety for the Lions, underwent hip surgery off-season, thus he will not be available this spring.