Lions Players Respond to NFL Punishment Over Chiefs Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Oct 21, 2025 7:35 AM ET

The Detroit Lions overcame their week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and Brian Branch's suspension after beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-9 in week 7.
Teammates made a gesture for Branch postgame to show solidarity after his suspension.
Jahmyr Gibbs led with 218 total yards and two touchdowns; Lions on bye next week.

The Detroit Lions did well to erase their 30-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6 by securing a victory against a red-hot Tampa Bay Buccaneers side on “Monday Night Football,” 24-9.

The Lions, however, were missing Pro Bowl defensive back Brian Branch in this one after the 23-year-old was suspended by the NFL for the Bucs game. Branch was penalized for instigating a fight in the aftermath of their loss to the Chiefs, where he threw an open-faced strike on Kansas City wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster’s helmet.

On Monday night, Branch’s Lions teammates responded to the league’s decision with a big move.

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) speaks to the media during training camp.© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Lions-Chiefs game last week ended in controversy because of Branch’s actions. Smith-Schuster immediately rushed at the Lions DB after the hit, which resulted in multiple players from both teams getting involved in the ugly altercation.

Branch revealed after the game that Smith-Schuster hit him from behind, but also took accountability for his “childish” behavior after the final whistle. The Lions appealed Branch’s suspension, but the NFL ultimately decided to uphold the decision.

Branch served his punishment on Monday night, but his Lions teammates showed him their support by wearing Branch’s jersey during their postgame press conference.

All the Lions DBs wore Brian Branch jerseys to the game today to support their suspended brother pic.twitter.com/vKw56XT2Ew
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) October 21, 2025

This gesture won’t change the fact that Branch was not able to take the field on Monday night, but it’s an admirable sign of solidarity from the Lions secondary. The win makes it even sweeter.

Two-time Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs led the charge for Detroit in this one, registering 17 carries for 136 yards and two rushing touchdowns. The former Alabama Crimson Tide star also caught three passes for 82 receiving yards. Gibbs set a new career-high in total yards with 218 on the evening.

Branch should be back in the lineup for Detroit’s next game. They are on a bye in Week 8, but they will return to action on Nov. 2 to battle the Minnesota Vikings in a divisional showdown at Ford Field.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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