Dan Campbell confirmed that indeed the Detroit Lions were interested in making a trade for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. this season amid injuries to the secondary. However, the Dallas Cowboys made the deal for Porter, sending the Pittsburgh Steelers a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 conditional sixth-round pick. Porter isn't coming, but help should be on the way shortly for the Lions.
More News: Exclusive: Breakout NFL Executives Who Could Become Future General Managers More News: 4 QBs Generating Serious Trade Buzz Weeks Before NFL Regular Season Starts During Tom Pelissero's edition of "The Sweep" on Saturday, Pelissero noted that the Lions are expected to get defensive back Brian Branch back to practice next week. Branch is considered the "heartbeat" of the Lions defense, but has been sidelined since he suffered a torn Achilles on Dec. 4. On Friday, Campbell told reporters Branch was close to returning and had been putting in good work to make his return for the Lions.
Branch, a second-round pick in the 2023 draft, recorded 48 tackles and one forced fumble for the Lions in 12 games played last season. His return should help a Lions defense that has given up 85 points through the first three weeks of the season. Detroit missed out on Porter, but that doesn't mean the Lions won't stop looking for opportunities to help the secondary.
If we can find somebody that we feel like fits us and can help us and the value is right, we will.” The Lions are 2-1 before getting ready to play on the road against the Carolina Panthers on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 4. The Panthers have several injuries of their own to worry about in the contest, including receivers Xavier Lagette and Jalen Coker. Lagette is out with a knee injury.
Coker is questionable with a quad injury. (Rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II is out for the season with a torn LCL he suffered in training camp.) For more on the Lions and the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
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