Lions safety Brian Branch suspended for fight with JuJu Smith-Schuster

Lions’ Brian Branch Suspended for One Game After Incident with JuJu Smith-Schuster

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch has been suspended for one game without pay due to unsportsmanlike conduct. The suspension comes after Branch hit Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, which sparked a brief altercation on Sunday night.

“Your aggressive and non-football related act was totally unjustified, represented a serious risk of injury and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players,” wrote NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan in a letter to Branch. “Your conduct reflects negatively on the NFL and has no place in our game.”

Jon Runyan, Vice President of Football Operations of the NFL

Branch plans to appeal the suspension, according to a source close to the player. The suspension means Branch will miss the Lions’ next game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will be able to return to the active roster the following day. The incident occurred after Detroit’s 30-17 loss to Kansas City on Sunday night. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes attempted to high-five Branch near the center of the field. Branch walked past, which drew a reaction from Smith-Schuster. Smith-Schuster approached Branch and said a few words to him. Branch responded by hitting Smith-Schuster in his facemask, sending him to the ground. Smith-Schuster got up and went after Branch. Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco tried to intervene, but Branch managed to take Smith-Schuster’s helmet off as numerous players from both teams approached the fight. Finally, the coaches and players separated the parties, and they finally left the field to go to the locker room.

“It was childish, but I’m tired of people doing things between plays and the referees not noticing,” Branch said after the game. “They try to intimidate me out there. I should never have done it. It was childish.”

Brian Branch, Detroit Lions safety

Branch was also fined $23,186 for mask penalties and unsportsmanlike conduct against the Green Bay Packers last month. Branch’s plan to appeal the suspension was first reported.