Brian Branch won’t be suiting up for the Detroit Lions this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football. The NFL suspended the safety one game without pay for unsportsmanlike conduct after striking Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster during Sunday’s heated finish at Arrowhead.
The incident sparked a brief scuffle as both teams were leaving the field. Branch defended his actions in the locker room afterward, but the league took a different view of the situation.
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Players typically get three days to appeal through the NFL Players Association, and Branch’s camp tried.
It didn’t work.
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“Lions safety Brian Branch’s one-game suspension was upheld upon appeal,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.
Lions safety Brian Branch’s one-game suspension was upheld upon appeal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 16, 2025
Lions fans weren’t shy about their disappointment. One wrote, “He still owns that bi**h JuJu,” while another pointed out, “What about Hollywood Brown the week prior throwing a punch and no suspension huh weird.” The NFL’s inconsistency fueled the debate across social media.
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Other fans found humor in the situation. One joked, “Branch: Can we talk about it? NFL: Nope, enjoy the couch this Sunday.” Another added, “Tried to get it overturned when the evidence was in 4K😂😂😂”
The frustration that led to Branch’s strike made sense in context. After Detroit’s 30-17 loss to Kansas City, Branch called out the Chiefs for multiple cheap shots he felt went uncalled. A clip of Smith-Schuster blocking him in the back circulated online, showing why emotions were running hot.
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster (9) get into a fight after the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
When Smith-Schuster struck again, something snapped. Branch connected on the helmet, apologized immediately, and declined a postgame handshake from Patrick Mahomes as the teams departed.
Missing Branch won’t help Detroit’s defensive efforts down the stretch during a critical playoff push.
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