Detroit Lions fans endured a brief injury scare when rookie safety Brian Branch appeared to be shaken up late in the team's 21-20 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night. But Lions head coach Dan Campbell reassured the fans while speaking to reporters after the game, needing just two words to do so. Campbell said that Branch “is good,”, per Kyle Meinke of Mlive.com.
Campbell said that Branch, who Lions fans feared had a leg injury, was merely dealing with cramps. That's excellent news for Detroit fans, as the rookie quickly proved he belonged on an NFL field in the win over the Chiefs.
Not only did Branch, a second round pick out of Alabama, inject the Lions with momentum after his 50-yard interception return touchdown in the third quarter, but he also made his presence felt with three tackles and a pass defended.
While All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce was sidelined with an injury, Branch and the Lions defense still held the defending Super Bowl champions, led by MVP Patrick Mahomes, to just 20 points.
Article Continues BelowMany draft pundits had tabbed Branch as a first-round pick- and it was easy to see why, judging by Thursday night's performance.
If the Alabama Crimson Tide product and the rest of the Detroit defense can continue to play like that, the Lions could be potential challengers in a relatively wide-open NFC field.
That, and the fact that Branch is healthy after his injury scare, will put a big smile on the face of Lions fans everywhere.