Lions S Brian Branch is questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears with a calf injury. He put in limited practices Thursday and Friday after missing Wednesday's workout. We'll check his status ahead of the game Sunday.

The Lions have added S Brian Branch to the injury report and list him as doubtful for Monday's game against the Seahawks. Branch was originally dealing with a concussion but cleared the protocol, put in two full practices and didn't carry a game status on the week's final injury report. This addition especially hurts a secondary that placed S Ifeatu Melifonwu on IR Saturday. Jeff Risdon reports that undrafted rookie Loren Strickland and second-year player Brandon Joseph will fill in for Branch, next to Kerby Joseph. If you're stuck look for an IDP fill-in, I wouldn't recommend trying either of those young players. If Kerby Joseph's not available, CBs Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold, and Amik Robertson will be safer bets for playing time. Otherwise, target the best available option among Seahawks, Titans, and Dolphins DBs.

Lions S Brian Branch left Sunday's win over the Cardinals after a head-to-head collision with TE Trey McBride. HC Dan Campbell said Monday that Branch is in the concussion protocol and considered day-to-day. We'll see about his chances of returning for next Monday night's home date with Seattle. That timing could make it tough to wait for Branch in IDP lineups. Make sure you secure an insurance option this week.

Lions rookie DB Brian Branch returned Sunday after missing two games with a sprained ankle. But returned to a smaller role than what he left. The second-round pick played 68% and 69% of snaps the first two games. That grew to 100% in Week 3, after the team lost S C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Branch again started in Week 4 and appeared headed for similar use but left that game early with the ankle injury. But in his return game against the Ravens, the rookie played just 50% of snaps. He closed the practice week with a full Friday workout and carried no injury designation into the game. So we're not betting the ankle limited his time. Instead, it appears the Lions preferred to keep more LBs on the field and run fewer alignments of 5+ DBs. That left Branch, the nickel CB, less involved. Based on how Detroit has run its defense otherwise, we're guessing it was a specific shift for Lamar Jackson. It did not work. Branch's usage will make him tough to trust in Week 8 IDP lineups for an upside Raiders matchup. We'll watch for some indication that his playing time will increase.