Overview

• The appeal was decided by hearing officer Jordy Nelson, jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA, leaving Branch suspended without pay for Week 7 and eligible to return to the active roster the next day.
• Branch struck Smith-Schuster in the helmet after the final kneel-down, triggering a brief skirmish; he later apologized and called his action childish, citing an earlier unpenalized block in the back.
• NFL executive Jon Runyan’s letter labeled the hit an aggressive, non-football act that posed a serious risk of injury and said such conduct has no place in the game.
• Head coach Dan Campbell condemned the behavior and apologized to Andy Reid, the Chiefs, and Smith-Schuster, saying the reaction was inexcusable despite any on-field provocation.
• Detroit’s already thin secondary takes another hit with Branch out, as starters D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold remain sidelined and safety Kerby Joseph is managing a knee issue; some players, including Colts LB Zaire Franklin, publicly backed Branch, while fans questioned the optics of Nelson’s role despite his joint appointment.