The Detroit Lions could finally be getting one of their most important defensive players back.

Head coach Dan Campbell provided a series of injury updates Monday, and while there was encouraging news surrounding Brian Branch and Cade Mays, Detroit also picked up two new concerns on defense following Sunday night’s 32-26 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

The Lions enter Week 5 at 2-2, with their defense struggling badly through the opening month of the season. Detroit currently ranks last in the NFL in total defense, passing defense and points allowed, making the potential return of Branch particularly important.

Brian Branch Could Return to Practice This Week

The biggest piece of positive news concerns Branch.

Campbell said the Lions are still waiting for final medical clearance, but he believes the Pro Bowl safety has a strong chance of returning to practice this week.

Branch has been working his way back from the Achilles injury he suffered against the Dallas Cowboys last December. He began the season on the physically unable to perform list and has not yet practiced with Detroit this year.

Once Branch begins practicing, Detroit will have a 21-day window to activate him to the 53-man roster or keep him on the PUP list for the remainder of the season.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Branch will play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

With Detroit’s bye coming immediately afterward, the more realistic target could be the October 25 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Still, simply getting Branch back on the practice field would be a major step for a defense that desperately needs help in the secondary.

Cade Mays Is Also Close

The Lions could also see center Cade Mays return to practice this week.

Mays suffered his own Achilles injury in the same December game against Dallas that sidelined Branch. Campbell reportedly indicated that he could join Branch on the practice field this week.

Like Branch, however, a return to practice doesn’t guarantee an immediate return to game action.

The upcoming bye gives Detroit some additional time to get both players ready rather than rushing either one back.

Rock Ya-Sin Could Miss Time

The positive news comes with an obvious downside.

Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin suffered a hamstring injury against Carolina and did not return to the game.

Campbell’s update was not encouraging.

He said he didn’t think Ya-Sin’s situation looked good right now, making him a serious concern heading into Sunday’s game against Arizona.

That’s particularly significant because Detroit’s secondary is already dealing with multiple injuries.

The Lions have struggled to contain opposing passing attacks all season, and losing another cornerback could make an already difficult situation even harder.

Tyleik Williams Is Day-to-Day

Detroit also has to monitor defensive tackle Tyleik Williams.

Williams suffered a lower-leg injury against Carolina and was later seen wearing a walking boot.

Campbell described him as “touch-and-go” and day-to-day, leaving his availability for Sunday uncertain.

Williams has been one of the more productive pieces of Detroit’s defensive front this season, so his absence would give the Lions another problem to solve.

The Timing Could Matter

The Lions desperately need reinforcements, but they also need to avoid creating another problem by rushing injured players back.

Branch’s potential return is especially intriguing because Detroit’s defense has been at its worst in the secondary. The Lions currently rank last in the league in passing defense and scoring defense, while also sitting at the bottom in total defense.

Getting Branch back won’t suddenly fix everything.

But a healthy Branch would give Detroit another proven playmaker and could provide some stability to a secondary that has struggled to prevent explosive plays.

For now, the Lions are dealing with both sides of the injury equation.

Branch and Mays could be moving closer to practice, while Ya-Sin and Williams have suddenly become players to watch closely.

And with Detroit already sitting at 2-2, every one of those updates could become important very quickly.