Lions coach Dan Campbell shares injury updates on Branch, Ragnow, Barnes
The Detroit Lions have been bit hard by the injury bug so far this season so the bye week may have come at a good time last week. As the team gets back together and starts preparing for Dallas this week, head coach Dan Campbell shared some positive updates on the injury front.
Asked about safety Brian Branch and center Frank Ragnow, Campbell said both practiced Monday and, “as of right now, they look good.” That’s obviously huge for the Lions. Branch had a concussion but appeared on track to play in Week 4 against Seattle, only to miss the game with a late-week illness. Ragnow, who reportedly suffered a partially torn pectoral muscle against Arizona, had a more uncertain timeline. However, Campbell previously said that the All-Pro “always wants to go” and was fighting to give it a go, although he was held out of the Seattle game.
Unfortunately, not all news on the injury front was positive, as Campbell wasn’t as optimistic about linebacker Derrick Barnes, who suffered a knee injury against Arizona and is on injured reserve.
“It’s tough to say right now,” Campbell said. “I think we will be fortunate to get him at any point this year. I don’t wanna say it’s not gonna happen but I think we would be pretty fortunate if it does.” That’s not only rough because of his lost impact but also because Barnes was playing so well and is on an expiring contract. Hopefully things trend the right way and he’s able to at least return for the playoffs.
