Lions’ Branch was ejected for a helmet-to-helmet hit against the Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Lions safety Brian Branch was sent off for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers receiver Bo Melton during Detroit’s 24-14 win on Sunday.

Branch was disqualified after giving Melton a late hit at 6:18 of the second quarter with the Lions leading 7-3 at Lambeau Field.

Branch then threw himself away from the crowd, apparently frustrated, and was assessed another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty before leaving the field.

Branch, a key contributor to Detroit’s defense, recorded two tackles against Green Bay before being ejected. Entering the game, his four interceptions were the third-most in the NFL.

Acting NFL Vice President Perry Fewell told ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, the designated pool reporter, that Branch’s hit was not an automatic ejection, but that the penalty was decided with him in New York.

“We looked at all aspects and clearly felt that he had time and space to make a different decision because the act was a flagrant foul,” Fewell said. “And he clearly had the opportunity to avoid the head and neck area.”

Although Branch received no additional penalty in the game for his double middle finger gesture after the ejection, he could face some form of discipline later, Fewell said.

Branch did not speak to reporters after the game. Melton said he did not believe the blow to the head was intentional.

“He played ball,” Melton said. “I’m fine, so that’s how it is. He played with the ball and hit me when I was in the air. So that’s how it is.”

Lions coach Dan Campbell said the only explanation he got from the referees was that “it came from New York.”

Branch’s ejection was the first for one of Campbell’s players since he took over as Detroit’s coach in 2021. Campbell said he didn’t see the game in real time but will encourage Branch to be smarter in his tackles by lowered his target, especially in marquee matchups.

“I never want to take away his aggressiveness and his strength, that’s what makes him the player he is, but it also doesn’t help us if he’s not available in the game, so I tell him to tone it down.” and He has to get used to that too,” said Campbell. “If you play prime-time games, New York is going to watch all of that.”

In the locker room, Branch’s teammates disagreed with the decision.

“Brian Branch just came in, did a football game, and they call it whatever they call it, and I feel like it was bullshit, but that’s the price of playing DB, man said cornerback Amik Robertson.

Rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold also considered it a regulation hit and was shocked that Branch was penalized because he felt Branch led with his shoulder rather than his head.

“You know, BB, one of those people likes. When you play receiver and BB in the game, you’re going to think twice before catching the ball,” Arnold said. “So, it was one of those things, man, great game.”

“An opportunity to make a statement. I just feel like this league, man, has become an offensive league and the only thing we have on defense is just fear,” he continued. “So when he came out there, he was just trying to scare his opponent. And he did that because I mean, if you look up, No. 80 isn’t catching passes anymore.”

ESPN senior NFL reporter Kalyn Kahler and The Associated Press contributed to this report.