Branch one-game suspension after slapping JuJu Smith-Schuster leaves Detroit thin at safety. Harper steps in with Joseph and Ya-Sin in versatile roles; Strickland is waived to clear roster space as the Lions prepare to face Tampa Bay. Campbell stresses Branch’s character and growth, insisting the team will adapt and stay competitive without him.

Detroit’s plan centers on Harper at safety, with Joseph’s health monitored and Ya-Sin capable of moving between safety and corner. The coaching staff will lean on Kelvin Sheppard’s plan as they adjust, aiming for a stable back end and fruitful fantasy pivots in Week 9 against the Buccaneers.

Detroit bets on upside from Jammie Robinson, adding a versatile safety with strong special-teams chops to a thinning secondary. With D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, and Kerby Joseph banged up and Brian Branch suspended, Robinson could arrive in time to bolster Week 7 against Tampa Bay and help Thomas Harper shoulder more responsibility.

Robinson’s path through Panthers, Cardinals and Chiefs gives Detroit multi-positional value and a quick acclimation arc for a unit desperate for depth. The Lions’ recent roster moves—plus a reminder of last week’s Chiefs matchup—signal a broader push to fortify coverage and return game impact this fantasy-friendly defense stretch.