Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch has been suspended without pay for one game for unsportsmanlike conduct following Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, the league announced on Monday.
Branch will be eligible to return to the Lions’ active roster on Tuesday, Oct. 21, following the team’s Oct. 20 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 23-year-old smacked Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster after the Chiefs’ 30-17 win over the Lions.
Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Branch may appeal the suspension.
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued the suspension, and In a letter to Branch, Runyan wrote:
“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. Your conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game.”
In six games this season, Branch has recorded 23 tackles and a forced fumble.
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