Brian Branch is among four Detroit Lions who will start training camp on the injury list.
On Sunday, the Detroit Lions announced that four players have been placed on an injury list prior to training camp. Defensive back Brian Branch, defensive linemen DJ Reader, and Marcus Davenport have all been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Meanwhile, rookie offensive tackle Giovanni Manu has been placed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list.
It’s not a surprise that Branch, Reader, and Davenport will start on the PUP list, as all three were either limited or out during spring practices. Branch is dealing with a foot injury that had him in a boot and scooter during the draft. Reader suffered a torn quad last season and coach Dan Campbell even suggested he would miss some time in camp . Davenport was out for spring practices after missing most of 2023 with a high ankle sprain.
Manu is an interesting addition to the group. He did not appear to be limited in the spring, but remember that a “Non-Football Injury” designation means the injury occurred either away from a football setting or in college.
It’s also important to remember that while these players are on injury lists, they can come off at any time. Oftentimes, players only spend a few days or weeks on the list before joining the team on the practice field. Once training camp actually begins, the Lions are not permitted to add any new players to the PUP or NFI lists.
If a player remains on the PUP or NFI list when the regular season begins, teams have three options: activate them, trade/release them, or place them on the reserve/PUP or NFI list. If the team chooses that final option, the player will miss a minimum of four games.
With some veterans still to report on Tuesday, it’s possible this list gets longer.