Overview

• Branch hit JuJu Smith-Schuster in the head after the final kneel-down of Kansas City’s 30-17 win, having just brushed off a handshake from Patrick Mahomes, and a multi-player scuffle followed as Smith-Schuster departed with a bloody nose, according to Andy Reid.
• NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan issued a one-game suspension without pay for unsportsmanlike conduct, writing that Branch’s actions were unwarranted, risky, and out of step with league standards.
• Branch apologized and called his behavior childish, saying he was frustrated by what he believed was an uncalled illegal block; Mahomes and Smith-Schuster stressed that they play between the whistles.
• Lions head coach Dan Campbell condemned the conduct as inexcusable and publicly apologized to Reid, the Chiefs, and Smith-Schuster.
• Branch will miss Monday Night Football against the Buccaneers and may appeal; his absence compounds injuries in Detroit’s secondary, and he entered Week 6 with multiple fines this season.