Safety Brian Branch’s suspension upheld, will miss Detroit Lions’ Monday Night Football game vs. Bucs

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions will be without safety Brian Branch for their Monday Night Football matchup vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as his suspension was upheld following his appeal.

According to ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Wednesday (Oct. 15), Branch’s one-game suspension was upheld upon appeal.

The National Football League suspended Branch for one game after his unsportsmanlike conduct incident against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football.

Following the Lions’ 30-17 victory, Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster got in the face of Branch, who chose not to shake hands with superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and hot popped in the face, which started a melee on the field.

Branch’s presence will be missed as they will take on the red-hot Buccaneers (5-1) inside Ford Field on Oct. 20, 2025.

With a secondary already depleted with injuries, Dan Campbell and staff will continue their next man up mentality in the matchup.

Branch’s appeal was heard by either Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson, with the hearing officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and the NFLPA, who decided appeals of on-field player discipline.

Following the Lions’ 30-17 victory, Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster got in the face of Branch, who chose not to shake hands with superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and hot popped in the face, which started a melee on the field.

Branch’s presence will be missed as they will take on the red-hot Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside Ford Field on Monday Night Football on Oct. 20, 2025.

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With a secondary already depleted with injuries, Dan Campbell and staff will continue their next man up mentality in the matchup.

Branch appealed the suspension under the CBA.

Any appeal will be heard and decided upon by either Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson, with the hearing officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and the NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline.