Via Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Branch has appealed his one-game suspension. Branch has the right to do so. And he has a reason to do so — seventy-six thousand of them. (At a 2025 salary of $1.379 million, he makes $76,611 per week.)

Brian Branch has been suspended by the NFL for one game without pay for his actions following the Lions ' loss to the Chiefs on Sunday night. Branch initiated a fight between the two teams immediately following the Chiefs' 30-17 win when he punched Kansas City wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster .

Campbell's immediate apology to Andy Reid and the Chiefs organization demonstrates how seriously Detroit takes its team image and respect for the game, even after a frustrating primetime loss.

Following the final whistle, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stuck out his hand for a handshake with Branch, but Branch ignored him. The Lions safety then went over to Smith-Schuster and slapped him in the face, igniting a postgame scuffle between the two sides.