Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch has been disciplined by the NFL over the dirty move he pulled at the end of his team’s Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night.
The NFL announced on Monday that Branch has been suspended one game without pay. NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan said in a letter to Branch that Branch’s cheap shot on Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was “entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players.”
Branch can appeal the suspension but would lose out on a game check of $76,624 if it is upheld.
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan wrote to Branch: “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… https://t.co/4Afouk0RZW
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 13, 2025
Branch walked up to Smith-Schuster and smacked the wide receiver as the final seconds ticked away in Kansas City’s 30-17 win over the Lions. Players from both teams then got into a skirmish and tried to separate Branch and Smith-Schuster after Smith-Schuster attempted to retaliate.
Branch expressed regret after the game and called his actions “childish,” so it seems unlikely that he would be able to win an appeal. He said he was frustrated after he had been illegally blocked during the game.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell also strongly condemned Branch’s behavior.
The Lions have another tough test in Week 7, when they will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on “Monday Night Football.” They will probably have to find a replacement for Branch in that game.
