Brian Branch, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta all officially cleared to play for Lions
ALLEN PARK — Help is on the way for the banged-up Detroit Lions.
Cornerback Brian Branch (ankle), running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) and tight end Sam LaPorta (calf) have all been officially
cleared to play on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, while running back Craig Reynolds (hamstring/toe), defensive lineman Josh
Paschal (knee) and tight end James Mitchell (hamstring) are listed as questionable.
Branch and Gibbs have missed their last two games apiece, leaving the Lions without their top draft pick on both sides of the ball.
Branch has been especially good this season too, and was playing like one of the best slot cornerbacks in the league in the first month
of the year. But he suffered an ankle injury in Green Bay and hasn’t played since.
Gibbs hasn’t been nearly as good as Branch, but he’s needed now more than ever because of the Montgomery injury. Gibbs is expected
to start at running back on Sunday and shoulder a big load in the running game.
“He’s going to need to take the load of it,” head coach Dan Campbell said. “We’re just going to have to see where he’s at. I’d like to say
we want to be careful with him, but the reality of it is we need him. So we’ll go as far as he can take us here. Trying to be as smart as we
can, but he’s got to go. And he’s ready.”
Gibbs ran for 80 yards in his lone start, but has otherwise served a complementary role to Montgomery while being more effective
through the air. He insists he’s ready for a bell-cow role in Baltimore.
“I’ve been that all my life, so it’s really nothing I’m not used to I think,” Gibbs said. “You don’t want too much (work). I don’t know
how David put up 32, that was crazy. I don’t know how he did that. But yeah, I’ll always take 18-20 (carries).”
Paschal is also poised to make his return after missing the last four games with a knee injury.
“I feel like he’s gotten better every day,” Campbell said. “We started his clock last Friday and he looks pretty good. So, I think the
thought is we’ll probably get him going here and it’s good to have him back. … He has versatility because he can play the big end, he
can play three-technique, he can play one of the outside ‘backers if needed.”
Injuries continue to haunt the offensive line though, where Jackson will miss a second straight game at left guard, while right guard
Halapoulivaati Vaitai still hasn’t played since Week 2 because of a knee injury. Graham Glasgow has played really well in Vaitai’s
place — so well, he might not go anywhere even when Detroit is at full strength — while Kayode Awosika appears headed for another
start at left guard.
Leave a Reply