DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch tore his left Achilles tendon against the Dallas Cowboys, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Tests revealed the significant injury on Friday, the person told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the results were not announced.
Branch was hurt late in Detroit's 44-30 win over Dallas on Thursday night.
The injury is a major setback for the Lions, whose secondary is very banged up.
Free safety Thomas Harper, filling in for injured All-Pro Kerby Joseph, suffered a concussion in the first quarter and wasn’t cleared to return and cornerback Terrion Arnold went on injured reserve earlier this week.
Branch, a hard-hitting defensive back with cover skills, has been a versatile player for Detroit since it drafted the former Alabama star in the second round two years ago. He earned Pro Bowl recognition last season after finishing fifth in voting for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Detroit (8-5) travels to play its former quarterback, Matthew Stafford, and the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 14 needing a win to improve its chances of being in the playoffs for a third straight year.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch recovers a fumble by Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) tackles Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (19) takes a hit from Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 28 points, Jordan Clarkson had 27 and the New York Knicks rallied to beat the Utah Jazz 134-117 on Wednesday night to snap a two-game losing streak.
Brunson also had eight assists and three steals in a game the Knicks trailed 49-31 early in the second quarter. OG Anunoby added 22 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. New York made 17 3-pointers and shot 52% from the field.
Brice Sensabaugh led Utah with 29 points. Ace Bailey added 21, and Keyonte George had 14 points and five assists before leaving midway through the third quarter with a right hamstring injury.
Utah made 11 of its first 13 3-pointers to take the early lead. Brice Sensabaugh, Ace Bailey, and Kevin Love teamed for seven 3s in the first 14 minutes. The Jazz finished 18 of 36 from 3-point range.
The Knicks cut it to single digits before halftime, then took the lead with a 20-4 run spanning the third and fourth quarters. Clarkson punctuated the run with back-to-back baskets to put the Knicks up 101-94 less than a minute into the fourth.
Clarkson scored or assisted on four baskets and added two free throws to fuel the go-ahead run. Brunson gave New York the lead for good on a 3-point play with 1.6 seconds left in the third, and the Knicks pushed the advantage to 22.
Knicks: At Indiana on Friday night.
Jazz: At Portland on Friday night.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier, center left, and New York Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson, center right, battle for possession of the loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)
Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams, left, and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, right, battle for possession of the loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)
New York Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson (00) goes to the basket defended by Utah Jazz center Oscar Tshiebwe (34) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) sets the play during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, center, drives to the basket guarded by Utah Jazz guard Ace Bailey, center left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)
