The Detroit Lions placed Pro Bowl safety Brian Branch on injured reserve on Saturday, December 13, officially ending his season.
Branch suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his right leg during last week’s win over the Dallas Cowboys. Lions coach Dan Campbell said Branch underwent surgery last week and is expected to take eight to 12 months to return.
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As part of a series of roster changes Saturday, the Lions activated tight end Shane Zylstra from IR to take Branch’s spot.
Zylstra, who hasn’t played since injuring his knee in Week 2, adds depth at tight end with just one player on the Lions’ 53-man roster – Anthony Firkser.
Starting tight end Sam Laporta is out for the season after back surgery, and backup Brock Wright is on IR with a tracheal injury that could keep him out of the playoffs.
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Along with Zylstra, the Lions promoted tight end Giovanni Ricci and safety Erick Hallett from the practice squad to the active/inactive list.
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Additionally, the Lions announced that offensive lineman Christian Mahogany has not been activated from injured reserve and will miss Sunday’s game against the Rams. Safety Thomas Harper also was sidelined with a concussion.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him: dbirkett@freepress.com. follow him blue sky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared in the Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions injury report vs. Rams, Brian Branch on IR
