The Detroit Lions got outmanned on Sunday night, when the Kansas City Chiefs won decisively in a 30-17 victory. As if the humbling wasn’t bad enough for the Lions, safety Brian Branch made matters worse
after the game. As the teams were exchanging handshakes and words after the clock hit zero, Branch threw a jab at Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Clearly, he had taken exception with something Smith-Schuster had said, and after the punch, the Chiefs receiver chased Branch down. The two tied each other up before Branch threw Smith-Schuster down by the facemask.
Thankfully, the scuffle was essentially localized to only those two players and it didn’t become a bigger thing.
That being said, it was a very undisciplined move from Branch, who will almost certainly be subject to punishment from the NFL after the altercation. And given that Branch has a history of fines—and an ejection in Green Bay in his past—it certainly seems like a suspension could be on the table for the Lions safety.
That would be a huge loss for the Lions, seeing as they are already short in their secondary with all of the current injuries. On top of that, next week the Lions host the 5-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a game that could have a big impact on the NFC playoff picture. With Kerby Joseph battling an knee injury of his own that has him barely being able to walk at times, the Lions need as many hands on deck against Baker Mayfield and company.
