Brian Branch is trending toward clearing concussion protocol in time to play in this week’s game against the Miami Dolphins, but the Detroit Lions likely will be without four other key starters.

Cornerback D.J. Reed (hip), defensive end DJ Wonnum (concussion) and center Cade Mays (ankle) are not expected to play Sunday, Nov. 6, and linebacker Jack Campbell remains hospitalized with a neck injury but is improving, Lions coach Dan Campbell said.

“Jack continues to improve, which is all great news and there again this is about man, how would he prepare, how would he play,” Dan Campbell said. “Those are the standards for us going into this game, we owe it to him.”

Branch was a full participant in practice Thursday, and Dan Campbell said he’ll be re-evaluated after practice Friday but “I think BB’s going to be good here.”

Reed, Wonnum and Mays did not practice Thursday because of injuries they suffered in last week’s win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Reed injured his hip breaking up a fourth-and-5 pass one play after Jack Campbell’s injury. Mays sprained his ankle in the first half. And Wonnum was hurt in a head-to-head collision initiated by Branch.

Safeties coach Jim O’Neil reiterated the team has no plans to rein in Branch’s play on the field. Branch was fined for use of his helmet and an unnecessary roughness penalty in his return from a torn Achilles tendon in Week 7 and knocked himself and Wonnum out of last week’s game.

“We coach eyes up, tackle, but we also coach we’re going to play the game and violently,” O’Neil said. “That’s the game was meant to be played. That’s one of the reasons BB is who he is. He’s got an old-school mentality, he’s explosive, he’s going to play the game violently. We talk about defending every blade of grass, whether it’s on the sideline – you’re not going to tip-toe the sideline on us. If a running back’s on his way down we’re going to beat him to the ground and hit him. I thought BB did a great job on that play.”

At defensive end, second-round pick Derrick Moore is expected to take most of Wonnum’s snaps in pass-rush packages, with undrafted rookies Eric O’Neill and Anthony Lucas also contributing.

And Dan Campbell said he likes the depth the Lions have in the cornerback room to help cover for the loss of Reed.

“Depth-wise, we’re a pretty strong room,” Campbell said. “I don’t like the thought of not having Reed, but at the same time I’m encouraged. I’m encouraged. I think we’ll be OK here.”

Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jack Campbell ‘continues to improve,’ Lions down starters vs Dolphins

Reporting by Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press

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