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Lions’ Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph Miss Week 1 vs Saints

9/9/2026

18 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The New Orleans Saints face Detroit Lions in Week 1 at Ford Field.
Lions will be without safety duo Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph for first four games, on PUP list.
Veteran safety Chuck Clark and former Eagle Avonte Maddox expected to start for Lions.
Saints defense ranks No. 4 in 2025, allowing 22.5 points per game.
Lions offense ranks No. 3 and scored 481 points last season, a second-highest total.

History

Historical Context

After Hurricane Katrina forced the Saints to play elsewhere in 2005, the franchise returned to a repaired Superdome on September 25 2006, winning the symbolic “Rebirth” game 23-3 before a sellout crowd of 70,003. That comeback sparked a 10-6 season and the team’s first NFC South title, a legacy that frames the 2025 Week 1 clash with the Lions’ veteran-led offense.

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Story summary

The New Orleans Saints face Detroit Lions in Week 1 at Ford Field.
Lions will be without safety duo Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph for first four games, on PUP list.
Veteran safety Chuck Clark and former Eagle Avonte Maddox expected to start for Lions.
Saints defense ranks No. 4 in 2025, allowing 22.5 points per game.
Lions offense ranks No. 3 and scored 481 points last season, a second-highest total.

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