Brian Branch injured his own teammate with questionable play

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Brian Branch injured his own teammate with questionable play

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Nov 1, 2026 3:29 PM ET

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch drew criticism on Sunday for a play some saw as dirty that got both he and a teammate hurt.

Branch and teammate DJ Wonnum both suffered concussions during Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. on the same play. Wonnum was in the process of tackling Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson when Branch came in with his helmet lowered, seemingly to deliver a punishing hit on Jefferson.

Instead of getting Jefferson, Branch wound up smashing helmets with Wonnum, who had to be carted off the field. Both players were ruled out for the game with concussions, and some argued that Branch was responsible for both injuries due to his reckless play.

Brian Branch & DJ Wonnum both diagnosed with concussion on this play https://t.co/ltgaosStHo
— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) November 1, 2026

hell of a player but this league is going to be a little bit safer the day brian branch retires
— Zach Jacobson (@zachjacobson) November 1, 2026

Brian Branch is just never going to learn huh
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) November 1, 2026

Brian Branch tried to take Justin Jefferson’s head off and appears to have potentially concussed his own teammate instead.
— The Daily Norseman (@DailyNorseman) November 1, 2026

Branch was playing in just his second game back from an Achilles injury. He has a reputation for being a dirty player , and gave critics more ammunition by hitting Packers TE Tucker Kraft in the head last week, for which he was fined.

Some might hope that Branch learns a lesson from this about leading with the crown of the helmet. For better or worse, though, this is the way he has played and found success in the NFL.

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