NFL approves rule that could impact Brian Branch’s return timeline
Under a new NFL rule, Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch could return from his Achilles injury quicker.
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 04: Brian Branch #32 of the Detroit Lions is helped off of the field during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field on December 4, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images The NFL announced on Tuesday they have approved five playing rules, three new bylaws, and one new resolution . One of those new bylaws could impact the Detroit Lions, and specifically the return of safety Brian Branch.
The new resolution is regarding players who are placed on the reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. As the rule previously outlined, a player that enters the season on the reserve/PUP—meaning they missed all of training camp with an injury, as well—must be sidelined for at least the first four games of their team’s season. That includes missing practices over that time.
Under the new resolution, those players can now return to practice after two weeks. Those players still are not permitted to play until they sit for four games, but now they have a built-in period to get themselves ready to return to game shape more quickly. That could be big news for Branch, who suffered a torn Achilles in the Lions’ December 4 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
While it’s unclear what Branch’s return timeline is right now, there’s a good chance he enters the season on the PUP list. If that’s the case and he’s healthy enough to return to practice after two games, it could accelerate his official return date. The Lions have traditionally given a player coming off a serious injury at least two or three weeks of practice before they put them back on the field.