The Detroit Lions are dealing with a familiar theme this week, searching for answers to replace a key injured starter. Brian Branch exited Thursday’s loss with a torn Achilles injury that will end his 2025 season and it left Detroit searching for answers.
One piece that was forced into action last Thursday due to the injury is corner Avonte Maddox. According to The Detroit News’ Nolan Bianchi, head coach Dan Campbell noted how impressed he was with Maddox, offering that the corner did “a hell of a job” against the Cowboys.
Such high praise clearly sets up Maddox as a potential starter for the Lions heading into another pivotal week, traveling to take on the Los Angeles Rams.
Lions Praise of Avonte Maddox Clearly Setting Corner Up for Potential Starting Role
MLive’s Ben Raven furthered the chances that Maddox could start, noting that “the Lions are looking at Maddox, Erick Hallett, Daniel Thomas, and Damontae Kazee, who they signed to the practice squad on Monday to fill Branch’s spot in the lineup. ” Of this group, Maddox is by far the most experienced and accomplished, having been a contributor to last year’s Super Bowl winner, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Whether or not his level of play is going to reach Detroit’s standards is up for debate, but what isn’t is the fact that the moment isn’t going to be too big. This paints a clear path to putting Maddox in the starting lineup against the Rams and seeing how the Lions’ secondary can hold up as injuries continue to mount.
Maddox has started 41 games in his career and appeared in 92, with the bulk of this experience coming with Philadelphia. No question, Maddox is the most qualified and should be Detroit’s instant answer to the issue. Other potential fixes include giving free agent Justin Simmons a call or looking to see if Tyrann Mathieu was serious about last week’s hint about being willing to return from retirement.
For now, however, it is Maddox who is going to get a chance to step into the spotlight and become a surprise starter. It is a familiar theme for a Detroit team that has dealt with more than its fair share of injuries over the last two seasons. Still, the franchise remains on the edge of the postseason and has the schedule ahead to go on a meaningful run. One that Maddox will have a chance to be a key starter rather than a rotational piece.
While it is understandable that the Lions are exploring all their options, putting Maddox into the lineup makes the most sense as the straightforward answer. This doesn’t mean the job is his, with the corner needing to prove himself as a clear starting safety option. Still, Campbell’s comments, combined with Maddox’s impressive play, clearly have given the experienced defender the inside edge on a starting role this season and perhaps beyond.
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