NFL Announces Punishment for Lions’ Brian Branch After Packers Game
The NFL has announced punishment for Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch after the Packers game — and admits officials missed it.
League fined Branch $23,882 for unnecessary roughness involving use of the helmet during Detroit’s 20-17 victory over Green Bay on Oct 25 at Ford Field. The punishment stems from first-quarter collision with Packers TE Tucker Kraft at the 3:39 mark of first quarter that did not draw a flag during game.
The fine was confirmed in NFL’s official accountability report Saturday, Oct 31, with league identifying impermissible use of helmet as reason. NFL’s Week 7 fine report shows violation was head-to-head contact on Kraft.
It was Branch’s first game back in almost a year after missing most of last season. He had 4 tackles, 1 pass defended, and clutch 4th-quarter interception in his 2026 debut vs Packers.
Linebacker Derrick Barnes also received $11,941 fine for 4th-quarter late hit, bringing two Lions defenders combined punishment to $35,823.
NFL admitting mistake doesn’t change result — fine acknowledges play was illegal but comes too late to matter for Packers. The league also recently imposed three-strike rule for helmet, hip drop, blindside, horse collar penalties that could lead to suspension.
Branch had earlier double fines in 2024 vs Packers: $11,593 taunting + $11,593 facemask vs Kraft totaling $23,186.
Mabel Joshua is the founder and lead editor of CelebrityTale.com with 4+ years covering celebrity news, entertainment trends and pop culture. She curates breaking stories with verified sources, focusing on real-time updates from Hollywood, music and lifestyle. When not reporting, she tracks emerging talents and viral moments across social platforms.
