Brian Branch has been handed a one-game suspension for his altercation with JuJu Smith-Schuster following the Chiefs’ lopsided win over the Lions.
The Lions defensive back swung at Smith-Schuster just after the game had ended, leading to a brief brawl before order was restored.
“Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players. Your conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game,” NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan wrote to Branch as part of the decision.
Branch will not be paid during the one-game ban, but he is eligible to appeal the punishment.
Branch told reporters after the game that the punch was borne out of frustration from what he felt was an illegal block in the back by Smith-Schuster toward the end of the game.
He described his actions as “childish” and admitted that he “shouldn’t have did it.”
Lions head coach Dan Campbell admonished Branch for his actions in his postgame press conference after the loss.
“I love Brian Branch, but what he did is inexcusable and it’s not going to be accepted here,” Campbell said. “It’s not what we do. It’s not what we’re about and I apologize to coach [Andy] Reid and the Chiefs and [Smith-Schuster]. That’s not OK. That’s not what we do here and it’s not going to be OK. He knows it, our team knows it and so, that’s not what we do.”
The skirmish started when Branch went toward Smith-Schuster and after the Chiefs’ wide receiver put his hand out, the Lions player hit him in the helmet.
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Running back Isiah Pacheco attempted to push Branch away from the scene, but Smith-Schuster came charging back at him, leading to a larger melee.