The Seattle Seahawks come into tonight's Monday Night Football showdown against the Detroit Lions with the No. 3 passing offense in the NFL through four weeks. If Detroit's going to slow down Seattle quarterback Geno Smith and Co. through the air, they're going to have to do it without arguably their best defensive back.
Second-year safety Brian Branch was placed on the injury report Sunday due to an illness and was listed as doubtful. He is inactive and won't play tonight. Branch has had at least two passes defended in each of Detroit's three games and entered Week 4 leading the league in passes defended with seven. He also leads the Lions in tackles (22) on the young season.
With veteran safety Ifeatu Melifonwu placed on injured reserve this week, the Lions are down to their fourth safety, Brandon Joseph, to pair next to Kerby Joseph. Brandon Joseph has played just five snaps on defense this season but made the 53-man roster after a really strong training camp.
Smith has thrown for over 600 yards and four touchdowns in the last two meetings against the Lions, both Seattle wins in which the Seahawks scored 37 and 48 points. This will be the toughest test yet for Detroit's secondary that will now be without Branch.
The Lions already ruled out All-Pro center Frank Ragnow after he suffered a pectoral injury in the win over Arizona last week. Detroit got good news regarding Ragnow's injury this week when head coach Dan Campbell said he didn't think it would land Ragnow on IR. Detroit has their bye week next.
I expect left guard Graham Glasgow to slide over to take over center duties tonight against the Seahawks. Glasgow has started 38 career games at center in the NFL.
"That's a big part of his value. That's why we wanted him back a couple of years ago and then when he was a free agent again this offseason, why (offensive line coach) Hank (Fraley) and I really pounded the table," offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said this week.
"The versatility between playing an excellent guard and center flex was huge for us. He's a very diligent and cerebral guy, so over the course of the week, he kind of gets in the zone when it becomes a center mode and he's thinking about the calls, this, that and the other, but I know on game day, it's just going to be like riding a bike for him because he's got, as you said, a lot of starts under his belt there. I know Jared (Goff) feels confident about it, as do I."
Joining Branch and Ragnow on Detroit's inactive list tonight are offensive tackle Giovanni Manu and wide receiver Isaiah Williams.
