The Detroit Lions picked up a huge win toward a playoff push on Thursday night, knocking off the Dallas Cowboys, 44-30.
But the Lions may have also sustained a pretty big loss in the form of an injury to star safety Brian Branch.
Branch had to be carted off, and Friday morning, the indication from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero is that the "fear" is that it's an Achilles injury for Branch.
Pelissero's report adds that Branch will have more tests Friday morning, but it doesn't look good.
Detroit's secondary was already depleted. Terrion Arnold had season-ending shoulder surgery, and Kerby Joseph hasn't played since Week 6 with a knee injury.
Branch is really the star of the bunch, and losing him is a big blow.
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If Detroit's offense can score 44 points every game, it may not matter much. The Lions' defense also stood firm often on Thursday night, forcing Dallas to settle for five field goals.
Detroit benefited from CeeDee Lamb's departure due to a concussion. From there, the Lions threw constant double teams at George Pickens.
The only breakdown came on a long touchdown to Ryan Flournoy late in the game, when a cornerback and safety had a miscommunication that left Flournoy wide open. That's something that'll have to be cleaned up.
The Lions may have to do that cleaning up without their leader Branch on the field to help them do it.
Detroit is now 8-5, just outside the wild card, with four games to play. The Lions still play the Rams, Steelers, Vikings and Bears. It's a sturdy finish, and it might have to be next-man up for Detroit.
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