Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch was ejected from Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers after he delivered a helmet-to-helmet hit on an opponent.
Branch was penalized for a hit to the head of a defenseless receiver when he put a shot on Packers wide receiver Bo Melton during the first half at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The hit was clearly illegal, though some were surprised that Branch was ejected.
Melton takes a hard hit to the helmet here. Branch gets ejected for this hit #DETvsGB pic.twitter.com/avpuuL7MYY
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) November 3, 2024
FOX rules analyst Dean Blandino explained that the decision to eject Branch likely came from New York, as there was a significant delay between the unnecessary roughness call and Branch being kicked out of the game. Tom Brady disagreed with the decision and said he feels there “has to be serious intent in a game like this” to eject a player.
Lions DB Brian Branch has been ejected from the game after a helmet-to-helmet hit. pic.twitter.com/wgX5m9AOGr
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 3, 2024
Branch is one of Detroit’s best defensive players. He entered Sunday’s game with 4 interceptions in six games, so the former second-round pick has made a huge impact for the Lions in his second NFL season.
