ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Coming out of their bye week, the Detroit Lions expect to get two key players back for Sunday’s NFC North opener against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field, coach Dan Campbell said Monday in Allen Park.
Safety Brian Branch, sidelined for a little more than 10 months by an Achilles injury suffered late last season, and center Cade Mays, who hurt his wrist in training camp, have both returned to practice. Campbell said Branch is not likely to handle a full 70-snap load, but the staff will work him hard early in the week to settle on a range of plays.
To get that work in, the team practiced Tuesday and shifted its usual day off to Wednesday.
Juice Scruggs has held down the center job through the first five games and has graded among the best at the position by Pro Football Focus. He will stay ready at center while Mays rebuilds his conditioning, and he could later get a look at guard.
Campbell used the open week to study his team in all three phases. Last year Detroit came out of a Week 8 bye at 5-2, then went 4-6 the rest of the way and missed the playoffs. After Green Bay, the Minnesota Vikings visit Ford Field for a second straight division game.
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