The Detroit Lions have been very healthy through the first four games of the 2026 NFL season. Now, they are returning two key starters in safety Brian Branch (Achilles rupture) and center Cade Mays (wrist fracture). Both are reported to be opening their 21-day practice window this week - presumably on Wednesday.
Here’s the breakdown of when each of these players projects to return-to-play in a game (RTP).
First, let’s start with last year’s RTP data…
Lions 2025 Median Return-to-Play After Opening Window: Day 16
As taken from my Detroit Lions 2025 IR/PUP/NFI Final Summary…
RTP Day (with day 1 being first day of practice):
4 - Khalil Dorsey (wrist)
12 - DJ Reed (hamstring)
12 - Christian Mahogany (fibula)
14 - Daniel Thomas (forearm fracture)
14 - Shane Zylstra (knee)
16 - Marcus Davenport (pec/shoulder)
20 - Alim McNeill (ACL)
27 - Malcolm Rodriguez (ACL)
30 - Miles Frazier (knee)
did not return to play in 2025 season - Gio Manu (knee)
did not return to play in 2025 season - Josh Paschal (back)
As you can see, almost every player spends about two weeks in the window before playing. Various factors affect how much time a player will spend in the window.
The nature of injury matters. For Khalil Dorsey (presumed wrist fracture), once the bone is healed, he’s good to go. Plus, he was able to do conditioning for weeks with a wrist injury. Another data point for upper-limb fractures is Alex Anzalone, who had a RTP in Day 5 of his window in 2024 after his forearm fracture. For most other injuries, a gradual 2-3 week ramp-up would be preferable to decrease risk of a setback.
Player importance matters. If a player is low on the depth chart, he may have a delayed return because the team doesn’t need him. This was likely true for Miles Frazier and Gio Manu.
Opening the window on the first eligible date. A player on IR cannot open his practice window until after four games - even if healthy and ready to practice before then. That means if a player opens his window at the first eligible date, he might be immediately ready to play. This is the scenario for Cade Mays, who is opening his window immediately after 4 games.
Key Upcoming Dates
Week 5 - October 11 vs Cardinals
Week 6 - Bye
Week 7 - October 25 vs Packers
Cade Mays Projected RTP - Week 5 or 7
Because Mays is opening his window at the first eligible date, he could be ready to play as soon as this Sunday (Week 5). Like Khalil Dorsey last season and Alex Anzalone the season before, Mays has an upper-limb injury, which can mean a very short stay in the practice window. Conditioning should not be an issue, as that can be done while recovering from a wrist injury. All this adds up to a good chance Mays plays on Sunday.
Watch the practice reports this week to see if Mays has full practices - if so, he could be immediately ready to go. If he does not play this Sunday, he will almost certainly be ready for Week 7, after the bye.
For Mays’ wrist fracture analysis…
Brian Branch Projected RTP - Week 7
Branch was eligible to open his practice window after Week 2, but will not open it until two weeks later. If he was going to be ready for this Sunday (Week 5), he would have logically opened his window last week or the week before. Since there is a Week 6 bye, then Week 7 becomes the likely RTP.
A return in late October for Week 7 fits the original 10-11 month estimated timeline, as seen in my initial Branch Achilles injury analysis. Thus, there is no setback here…
For Branch, what’s at stake for the rest of the season? He’s in the final year of his rookie contract, so he is playing for an extension. Branch will want to prove a recovery of as close to 100% as possible.
If Branch can show a good recovery over a few games, that may be enough for the Lions to feel comfortable in giving him a big extension. There isn’t much concern for a long-term recurrence issue with the Achilles (~2.3% re-rupture rate after surgery), unlike with Sam LaPorta’s herniated disc which can be in the range of 5-15%…
Sam LaPorta Contract Talks Reach Impasse
Like Branch, LaPorta is in the final year of his 4-year rookie deal. A recent report stated that contract talks have fallen through…
If LaPorta is expecting a top-of-the-market contract with standard guarantees from the Lions, then he might be disappointed. Even though he has looked great so far this season (22 receptions for 228 yards in 4 games), his spine presents a long-term durability risk. The Lions rightfully should want the contract to reflect that risk - especially given their recent experience with Kerby Joseph.
I wrote about the reasons for a Lions and LaPorta contract impasse in July…
Something to always keep in mind is that Ian Rapoport’s source is likely LaPorta’s agent, who may be leaking this info to give the negotiations a defibrillation. I don’t think it’s going to shock the Lions into action though, as they really don’t have much urgency because of the franchise tag. The franchise tag for tight ends in 2026 was only $15 million. That’s a very reasonable price to keep LaPorta through 2027.
LaPorta is currently a youthful 25 years old, and turns 26 on January 12.
For the details of Sam LaPorta’s spine injury…
Sam LaPorta Herniated Disc Injury Revelations
Training camp often brings the first opportunity for players to be asked about their injuries. Sam LaPorta’s status after spine surgery for a herniated disc was one of the biggest health concerns heading into camp.