Allen Park — New Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch hated every second of Saturday’s rookie minicamp.
But that’s only because he wasn’t involved. Branch, pick No. 45 out of Alabama in April’s NFL Draft, was forced to sit out with an undisclosed injury.
“Hate that I’m not practicing,” Branch said. “It hurt, because yesterday, I practiced, and … each practice, I want to get better. Just knowing that I wasn’t able to practice today, I wasn’t able to get better or play with my teammates.”
The injury isn’t a long-term concern, Branch said, and while he didn’t get the chance to show what he can do on the field Saturday, he has started to get an idea in recent days of how and where the Lions will use him — which is everywhere.
“Really just safety, nickel. Anywhere, to be honest,” Branch said. “I got to learn every position, because you never know. Any way I can get on the field.”
From the sound of it, the Lions are also getting another player who can hold a grudge. Branch was projected as a first-rounder for much of the pre-draft process — a popular first-round pick to the Lions at No. 18, even — but slid to the middle of the second round before Detroit traded pick No. 159 to Green Bay to move up from No. 48.
Branch, who attended the same Georgia high school (Sandy Creek) as former Detroit Lions Hall-of-Famer Calvin Johnson, said his draft day slide is “going to be with me forever.”
“Just knowing that, for one, nothing is for granted,” Branch said. “Got to work hard ever day. Got to give 100% effort every day.
“Knowing that, I think it’s going to help me throughout at this level.”
Branch’s versatility is a large part of what makes him intriguing as a prospect, but what makes him an intriguing add to Detroit’s safety room is that it was already one with versatility in spades.
Second-year safety Kerby Joseph proved to be dynamic up top, coming down with four interceptions and two forced fumbles in his rookie season. Defensive captain Tracy Walker is on his way back from injury. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson instantly elevated Detroit’s nickel situation from one of the most questionable to one of the best. In Branch, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has an extra toy to disguise and weaponize.
“Versatility and playmaking ability,” assistant general manager Ray Agnew said when asked Saturday morning what he likes most about the Alabama product. “He’s an instinctive player. He makes plays all over the field. He can play multiple spots. He’s a tough kid, gritty kid.”
Branch made 14 starts for the Crimson Tide last season, making second-team All-American (Associated Press) after 14 starts with 90 tackles, two interceptions and nine pass deflections. Though he wasn’t able to participate in Saturday’s practice, he’s thrilled to be around the game again.
He said he’s been watching Lions film from last season to “get me an advantage on … knowing the defense.” He plans to “soak it all in … when we start doing OTAs and stuff like that.
“It feels good. It feels surreal, to be honest,” Branch said about getting his feet wet with NFL practices. “It didn’t hit me when I got drafted, but now it’s starting to hit me. Just being out here, playing football again.
“Thank God we playing football again. That’s what I’m excited about.”
nbianchi@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @nolanbianchi