The transformation of Lions safety Brian Branch
When Detroit Lions star defensive back Brian Branch returns to the field in the next few weeks, many around the team are hoping they will get the same player that everyone grew accustomed to seeing prior to him suffering an Achilles injury in December of 2025. However, Branch has also gone through a transformation during his long road back to the field, as Dan Pompei of The Athletic highlights in his latest profile piece: Anger consumed Brian Branch. Then the Lions star made a promise that changed everything.
Man, he's a pit bull," Lions coach Dan Campbell says of his star safety. He's not mindless, but he's got that attitude that he's ready to fight and mix it up. It doesn't matter how big you are. He's fearless."
That will always be a part of Branch's game. He isn't reckless, but he plays the game in a manner in which his opponents will always feel him. Most of the time, that is a positive. Especially in the hyper-competitive world that is the National Football League. However, other times it has bitten him, and that is where he is hoping to change. Controlled fury rather than completely losing your cool.
You can read the entire story from Pompei right here, and learn how Branch's love of his dog led him to make a life-changing friendship that put him on the course that he is currently on today.
Brian Branch is expected back soon, and Lions fans hope that he's the same old Brian Branch. But he's not. My story on a transformation. https://t.co/CLu6lL50QT
- Dan Pompei (@danpompei) October 14, 2026
Now onto the rest of this week's notes:
- Rich Eisen doesn't want to hear anything about windows closing in Detroit.
- Get a look at what drives Lions star running back Jahmyr Gibbs in this excellent video put together by the Lions' media team. Dragon Ball Z fans -you are going to want to watch this one. Trust me.
- Will Burchfield of 97.1 is back with another awesome feature story, this time highlighting Lions defensive end D.J. Wonnum.
The Hutch Effect is real. We saw it last yr with AQM, who has 0 sacks this yr. We're seeing it again with D.J. Wonnum, who has 5.
- Will Burchfield (@burchie_kid) October 15, 2026
"He's creating issues opposite Hutch." And outside Alim.
"He's taking advantage of those 1-on-1s," says Hutch:https://t.co/7ySeWjQBR4
- For many reasons, it's really hard not to love Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams.
#Lions WR Jameson Williams won both his appeals of fines of celebrations against the #Bills, as amounts of $14,926 and $11,941 were rescinded.
- Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 13, 2026
On one, Williams denied his brief gesture" was offensive and argued that marijuana is legal in some states if that was the gesture he... pic.twitter.com/tQ3wu2KNZf
- Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com broke down the sensational start Lions quarterback Jared Goff has had in 2026.
.@ttwentyman breaks down Jared Goff's start to the 2026 season
- Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 15, 2026
New episode of The Official Detroit Lions Podcast drops Friday morning pic.twitter.com/oR23JjbWLj
- And in case you missed it, it looks like the Lions will be donning the black jerseys for their Week 7 showdown with the Green Bay Packers.
dark mode activated pic.twitter.com/4201SIWo6v
- Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 17, 2026
- Over on The Feed, user UpAllNight" gave credit to Lions linebacker Jack Campbell, who had himself one heck of a game against one of the better tight ends in the game right now.