The Lions will be without rookie defensive back Brian Branch on Sunday against the Panthers, but they hope to get him back in Week 6.
Dan Campbell said Friday there's "a little bit of concern" about the ankle injury that Branch suffered in the Lions' win over the Packers last week, "but there again, I don’t think it’s anything long term. That’s why we didn’t put him on IR. We’re hopeful for Tampa, but we’ll just have to play it by ear.”
Amon-Ra St. Brown is doubtful for Sunday after missing practice this week due to an abdomen injury he suffered against the Packers. St. Brown did work out on the side during practices and said Thursday that his goal is to play on Sunday, but it doesn't look good. Campbell said the Lions will "know a lot more" about St. Brown's status by Saturday.
He also acknowledged that the "potential of not having a guy like Saint makes it hard" to game plan "because he’s a very productive, impactful player for us." The Lions leading receiver is on pace for another 100-catch, 1,000-yard season.
"Above all, he’s very dependable," Campbell said. "You don’t have to worry about him being where he’s supposed to be, doing the job he’s supposed to do, and that’s run and pass game. There’s so many things that people don’t even notice about him that he does behind the scenes, whether it’s opening up a teammate in the pass game or blocking for the running backs, he’s just very productive for us."
Elsewhere on offense, the Lions expect to have Josh Reynolds, who's been limited this week with a groin injury, and are hopeful for the return of guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who hasn't played since injuring his knee in Detroit's Week 2 loss to the Seahawks. Listed as questionable, both players practiced fully on Friday.
On defense, safety Kerby Joseph is trending toward a return after injuring his hip in Week 2 and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley looks poised to make his season debut after tearing his ACL last season and then suffering a hamstring injury last month. Joseph and Moseley, both questionable, were full practice participants Friday as well.