Brian Branch's suspension upheld after appeal, Lions safety will miss Week 7 vs. Buccaneers

Richard Silva, The Detroit News on Oct 15, 2025

Published in Football

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DETROIT — The Detroit Lions will officially be without Brian Branch in Monday night's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Branch, who was suspended earlier this week after his open-hand slap of Kansas City Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster sparked a scuffle following Sunday's loss at Arrowhead Stadium, appealed his suspension. After review of Branch's appeal by hearing officer Jordy Nelson, the suspension was upheld.

Nelson, a former Green Bay Packers receiver, is jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA.

Already down cornerbacks D.J. Reed (hamstring), Terrion Arnold (shoulder) and Avonte Maddox (hamstring) — in addition to Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (shoulder) and Khalil Dorsey (wrist) — the Lions will now also be without Branch, one half of their elite tandem at safety. Also of note: Kerby Joseph (knee) continues to battle an injury, and it's possible the coaching staff opts to rest him against the Bucs.

The Lions were already bracing for Branch's suspension to not be overturned: "If it happens, that’s a bonus," head coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday afternoon. "Right now, I’m assuming he’s out and he’s not gonna win (the appeal)."

Branch has been reprimanded by the NFL before — he's been fined more than a dozen times since entering the league in 2023, and he was ejected from last year's game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field — but never before had he been suspended.

"Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players," NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan wrote in a letter to Branch, notifying him of his suspension. "Your conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game."

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