The Detroit Lions have made one final announcement before their highly anticipated matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the team gearing up for a crucial game, they’ve confirmed that safety Brian Branch will indeed be sitting out due to his one-game suspension. Branch’s absence will be deeply felt by the Lions, as he has been a key contributor to their secondary this season ¹.

Branch’s suspension stems from an incident involving Kansas City wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, where he made contact with the player after a play. The NFL handed him a one-game ban, and the appeal was recently denied. This means Branch will miss the Lions’ Week 7 matchup against the Buccaneers.

Impact on the Team

The Lions will have to adjust their defensive strategy without Branch. His replacement will likely be a combination of other safeties, and the team’s already thin secondary will be put to the test. The Buccaneers’ offense, led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, will look to exploit this weakness.

Game Details

The Lions and Buccaneers are set to face off on Monday Night Football at 7 p.m. ET at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN/ABC, and fans can also stream it online through various platforms.

Current Team Standing

The Buccaneers currently lead the Lions in the latest standings, boasting a 5-1 record compared to Detroit’s 4-2. However, the Lions have been on a roll lately, and their home-field advantage could play a significant role in the outcome of the game ².

Key Players to Watch

Some key players to keep an eye on in this matchup include:

– Amon-Ra St. Brown: The Lions’ star wide receiver has been on fire this season and is expected to continue his impressive performance against the Buccaneers.

– Baker Mayfield: The Buccaneers’ quarterback has been leading his team to victory consistently, and he’ll look to add another win to his record against the Lions.

– Jahmyr Gibbs: The Lions’ running back has been making waves this season, and his performance against the Buccaneers’ defense will be crucial to the team’s success.

The matchup between the Lions and Buccaneers promises to be an exciting one, with both teams looking to come out on top. The absence of Brian Branch will undoubtedly impact the Lions’ defense, but they’ll be looking to rise to the challenge and secure a win against a tough opponent.