The Lions entered this season with the best safety tandem in the NFL. The duo played a total of six games together.
Brian Branch suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in the Lions' win over the Cowboys Thursday night, per Jeremy Fowler, when he landed on his injured ankle in the end zone while breaking up a pass late in the fourth quarter. It's a big blow to a defense that's been missing fellow star safety Kerby Joseph for the past seven games due to a lingering knee injury.
The Lions also lost No. 3 safety Thomas Harper to a concussion Thursday night when he took George Pickens' leg to the head while trying to make a tackle. Harper, who has been playing in Joseph's place at free safety, was replaced by veteran Avonte Maddox, who wound up playing more defensive snaps in one game than he had all season.
The Lions are hopeful that Joseph is nearing a return, though he followed up his first practice in two months on Monday by missing practice Tuesday and Wednesday.
Daniel Thomas stepped in for Branch and helped DJ Reed seal the game with an interception. Maddox, who's played primarily nickel over the course of his career, and Thomas look like Detroit's top two safeties for now.
If both Joseph and Harper are still sidelined next week against Matthew Stafford and the Rams, the Lions could also turn to Erick Hallett or Loren Strickland on their practice squad or seek outside help.