Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch, who got into a scuffle after Sunday night’s game with Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster, was suspended one game by the NFL for the altercation.
As time ran out in the Lions-Chiefs game, Branch and Smith-Schuster came together and started talking back and forth. At one point, Branch slugged Smith-Schuster in the Chiefs’ player’s helmet, knocking him backwards.
The NFL office must have been watching “Sunday Night Football” on NBC and observed what took place on the GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium field.
NFL Suspension Kicks Lions’ Brian Branch Out
News of Branch’s suspension broke Monday afternoon and NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero shared the news in a post on X.
“The NFL is suspending Lions DB Brian Branch one game without pay for his altercation with JuJu Smith-Schuster after Sunday night’s loss in Kansas City,” Pelissero wrote.
The NFL is suspending #Lions DB Brian Branch one game without pay for his altercation with JuJu Smith-Schuster after Sunday night’s loss in Kansas City. pic.twitter.com/T8szCdzh2Z
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 13, 2025
Can Branch appeal the ruling? Yes, and that’s exactly what he’s doing, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
Earlier on Monday, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter broke down the appeal process for NFL players.
“Under the CBA, Brian Branch may appeal the suspension. Any appeal will be heard and decided upon by either Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson, the hearing officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline,” Schefter wrote on X.
The Lions fell to 4-2 on the season as Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes led his team to a 30-17 home win. Mahomes happened to see what took place on the field after the final whistle and didn’t hold back in his criticism of the fracas.
“They can do all the extracurricular stuff they want to do, but we play the game between the whistles,” Mahomes told NBC Sports’ Melissa Stark after the game.
The Lions drafted Branch out of Alabama in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. On the season, Branch, who is 23 years old, has 23 solo tackles.
While Branch plays on defense, mostly at strong safety, the Lions’ offense has been pretty good so far this season. According to the PFSN NFL Offense Impact metrics, the Lions have the fourth-best offense in the league with an 89.3 Offense Impact Score and grade out to a B+.
Losing Branch will mean that Lions head coach Dan Campbell must find a suitable replacement for him. Thomas Harper and Erick Hallett are Nos. 2 and 3 on the Lions depth chart at strong safety. Hopefully, they will be able to fill in should Branch’s suspension be upheld should he appeal the ruling.