The wait is finally over — and it’s not the news Lions fans were hoping for. Detroit’s fiery young defensive back Brian Branch officially learned his fate after appealing his NFL suspension… and the league isn’t budging.
Branch was handed a suspension for throwing a punch at Patriots wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster during their recent matchup — a moment that quickly went viral across social media. The rookie standout tried to fight the ruling, hoping for a reduction or reversal, but the NFL reportedly upheld the full suspension, meaning he’ll have to sit out as planned.
The hit to Detroit’s defense is no small one. Branch has been one of the team’s most explosive playmakers this season, known for his instinctive reads and hard-nosed tackling. Losing him, even for a short stretch, is a gut punch to Dan Campbell’s already banged-up secondary.
Fans aren’t taking it lightly either — many are calling out the league’s inconsistency, pointing to similar incidents that resulted in fines instead of suspensions. But as it stands, the NFL has made its decision, and the Lions will have to push forward without one of their most aggressive defenders.
Still, knowing Branch’s fire, expect him to come back with a vengeance the moment he’s cleared to return. And with how this Lions team has been fighting all season, don’t be surprised if they use this as fuel heading into their next matchup.
Brian Branch Learns His Fate: NFL Hands Down Final Decision on Lions DB’s Suspension Appeal
