The Detroit Lions activated Pro Bowl safety Brian Branch and center Cade Mays, and both are set to play Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, per Adam Schefter. Both players practiced this week before the activations were made official.

Branch has not played since tearing his Achilles on Dec. 4. Sunday will be his 2026 season debut, and it comes in the kind of game Detroit circled when his rehab started: a division showdown with Green Bay.

Mays is returning from a broken wrist he suffered in training camp. His return puts the middle of the Lions offensive line back in place, with the starting center snapping the ball again for the first time this season.

One activation is good news. Two in the same week, on both sides of the ball, is a double dose of it. Detroit gets its Pro Bowl safety back for the secondary and its anchor back for the offensive line, and it gets both of them for the Packers.

Key Facts

  • Players: Brian Branch, safety, and Cade Mays, center, both activated by the Detroit Lions
  • Branch: Has not played since tearing his Achilles on Dec. 4; Sunday is his 2026 season debut
  • Mays: Returning from a broken wrist suffered in training camp
  • Week: Both players practiced this week, per Adam Schefter
  • Game: Sunday against the Green Bay Packers

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