DETROIT – Adding on to the fallout from their season-opening loss to the Green Bay Packers, a pair of Detroit Lions players’ wallets are a bit lighter because of their actions at Lambeau Field.
The NFL fined defensive back Brian Branch twice for a total of $23,186 -- two separate penalties of $11,593 each -- for unsportsmanlike conduct and taunting, both occurring on the same play.
At the 10:33 mark of the first quarter, Branch ripped off the helmet of Packers tight end Tucker Kraft and tossed it, drawing a 15-yard penalty.
Just a few plays later, Kraft beat Branch in coverage for a 15-yard touchdown from quarterback Jordan Love to give Green Bay a 7-0 lead.
The incident marks the second straight season the league has fined Branch for his actions at Lambeau Field.
In last year’s win over the Packers in Green Bay, Branch picked up a fine for unnecessary roughness on a helmet-to-helmet hit against receiver Bo Melton, as well as for flashing a double-bird gesture at fans while leaving the game after his ejection.
Branch wasn’t the only Lion penalized this time around.
Wide receiver Jameson Williams was also fined $11,593 for unsportsmanlike conduct stemming from the second quarter.
With 2:24 left in the half, Williams caught a short pass from Jared Goff and immediately got in the face of Packers safety Xavier McKinney, drawing the flag.
Williams’ fine comes just a week after he agreed to a three-year, $83 million extension to remain with the Lions.
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