Overview
- Hearing officer Jordy Nelson, jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA, denied Branch’s appeal on Wednesday.
- The punishment follows Branch striking JuJu Smith-Schuster after the Week 6 loss, an act NFL executive Jon Runyan deemed an aggressive, non‑football violation that risked injury.
- Branch will miss Monday night against the Buccaneers and forfeit his game check, with eligibility to return to the active roster the following day.
- Detroit’s secondary faces depth issues, with D.J. Reed on injured reserve and Terrion Arnold, Avonte Maddox and Kerby Joseph dealing with injuries.
- Branch apologized and called his actions childish as Dan Campbell labeled them inexcusable, while reactions widened to include Zaire Franklin’s defense and a deleted NFL Films clip that drew statements from the league and Louis Riddick.