Overview
- Branch served the suspension on Monday night of Week 7 against the Buccaneers after a jointly appointed hearing officer denied his appeal.
- With a Week 8 bye, the Lions safety is eligible to return in Week 9.
- The discipline stemmed from Branch striking JuJu Smith-Schuster postgame in Week 6, an act the league called an unwarranted, non-football blow in Jon Runyan’s letter.
- NFL Films deleted a social clip from its Turning Point promotion that singled out Branch, saying it felt overly critical; Louis Riddick had narrated the segment and Lions players blasted the post.
- Branch acknowledged his action as “childish,” has multiple prior fines this season, and Detroit—down several defensive backs—still beat Tampa Bay 24-9 as teammates voiced support.