Brian Branch will miss Lions-Seahawks on Monday Night Football

DETROIT - The Lions have lost another defender for their matchup against the high-powered Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football.

Safety Brian Branch won't dress for the game due to an illness, according to the team. He practiced throughout the week, although did miss some snaps because of brain and neck injuries. He was originally expected to play anyway, but was downgraded to doubtful on Sunday due to illness, then officially declared out 90 minutes before kickoff.

Branch leads the team in the tackles and led the NFL in passes defended heading into the weekend. His loss will be felt on a defense that also lost starters Derrick Barnes and Marcus Davenport to injured reserve during the week. Another safety, top backup Ifeatu Melifonwu, was also added to IR, leaving the Lions without two of their top three players at the position.

Safety Brandon Joseph is expected to get the emergency start alongside Kerby Joseph, while undrafted rookie Loren Strickland is the top backup off the bench. Joseph and Strickland have combined for five defensive snaps in the NFL, a potential concern against a Seahawks offense that has had its way with Detroit over the years. The Lions are 0-3 in the series under Dan Campbell.

Center Frank Ragnow (pectoral), offensive lineman Giovanni Manu and receiver Isaiah Williams are also inactive. The Lions only have four inactives because the roster is at 52 players.

Receivers Tim Patrick and Allen Robinson are both active after earning promotions from the practice squad during the week.

While the Lions are hurting, so are the Seahawks. Seattle is playing without projected defensive starters Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe, Byron Murphy II and Leonard Williams. Linebacker Jerome Backer, guard Sataoa Laumea and tackle Michael Jerrell are also out.

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