Locker room buzz: Teammates pay tribute to Branch, McNeill recaps debut, Maulet's full-circle moment, and Ratledge on TD block and matching up against Vea
Detroit — Here’s what I learned bouncing around the Detroit Lions’ locker room following the team’s 24-9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Repping their brother
Erick Hallet wore one. So did Thomas Harper. And when Amik Robertson stepped ot the lectern for a postgame press conference, he had one on, too.
In a show of solidarity for suspended teammate Brian Branch, each of Detroit’s defensive backs picked up the black version of their teammates jersey to wear to Ford Field on Monday.
“That was our goal, to go out there and support him because we’re always in his corner,” Robertson said. “Great player, an unbelievable person, great teammate. We wanted to go out there represent him. When we stepped in the building, we wanted him to know that we’re in his corner no matter what. We love him. We can’t wait to have him back.”
Branch was serving a one-game suspension after he open-hand slapped Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster following last week’s loss in Kansas City, sparking a brief scuffle.
With Branch banned, and All-Pro Kerby Joseph sidelined by a nagging knee injury, the team turned to the young and relatively experienced safety tandem of Thomas Harper and Erick Hallett.
Harper appeared in 15 games as a rookie with the Raiders last season, but had only played 10 defensive snaps since being claimed off waivers by the Lions in late August. Hallett, meanwhile, had never played a defensive snap since being drafted by the Jaguars in 2023.
Despite concerns coming into the contest, the duo played key roles in helping the Lions limit the Buccaneers to nine points. Hallett finished tied for the team lead with eight tackles, including six solo stops.
“Shout out to Hallett, man,” Harper said. “I mean, he stepped up big time. I’d say nickel, safety, anything you need, man, he just stepped up. I couldn’t be more proud of him.”
Harper had three tackles and a pass breakup, which he viewed more as a disappointment than an accomplishment because he felt he should have intercepted the pass.
Sight for sore eyes
Alim McNeill either lost count or stopped counting, but he knew it had been more than 300 days since he’d played in a game. It was 309 days, in case you were wondering. Regardless, anybody watching Monday could have been fooled. The defensive tackle appeared rust-free, regularly showing up in the backfield.