The Detroit Lions‘ first OTA of 2026 kicked off on May 27. There are some players with injury concerns coming out of the 2025 season to keep an eye on. I compiled a list of players to watch, along with their OTA activity expectations.
Here is the excerpt on Brian Branch from my Detroit Lions OTA Player Watchlist: May 2026:
Brian Branch, S: How far along in Achilles recovery?
Achilles rupture – December 4, 2025
Brian Branch Achilles video
-Here is the superslow closeup view. Focus on the calf muscle which does seem to pop. Does not confirm rupture but certainly worrisome. pic.twitter.com/2qXpduc4el— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 5, 2025
Branch is 5.5 months post Achilles rupture, and could be doing some light running and sprinting workouts at this point in his rehab. Tracy Walker was doing sprint workouts at the 6 month mark.
OTA expectations: No football activities for Branch, but hopefully we see him doing rehab work on the side.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions OTA Medical Watchlist: Brian Branch S