Lions DB Brian Branch gets ejected vs. Packers after helmet-to-helmet hit
The Detroit Lions were short-handed defensively going into Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers, with Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes out with long-term injuries and some other front-seven pieces out for the game.
So defensive back Brian Branch was sure to have to be impactful in keeping the Packers' offense in-check, even in wet, windy conditions where the passing game would be naturally limited to some degree.
Unfortunately, Branch made impactful play in a negative fashion. He put a dirty helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers' wide receiver Bo Melton. Upon review from the league office in New York, Branch was ejected from the game.
Here's the hit. You can make a case for a good bit of shoulder contact to Melton's head, but there's also a lot of helmet-to-helmet contact. It's simply not a smart play by Branch.
Melton takes a hard hit to the helmet here. Branch gets ejected for this hit #DETvsGB pic.twitter.com/avpuuL7MYY
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) November 3, 2024
Brian Branch somehow couldn't believe he got ejected
After it was announced he had been ejected, Branch made it worse by also drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
It would appear he said something untoward to the officials when they told him he was being ejected. And reporters indicated Branch had a profane gesture for the crowd at Lambeau Field as well.
Lions DB Brian Branch was kicked out of the game, ejected for a hit to the head.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) November 3, 2024
Then he got an unsportsmanlike penalty after he was kicked out. pic.twitter.com/9xRs0LT0Si
Here's the full sequence of Brian Branch getting ejected. Don't think anyone saw an ejection coming here.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 3, 2024
Seems to be very bang-bang. Thoughts?pic.twitter.com/bRql8QLAVG https://t.co/ewNOUd9jN4
Brian Branch just got flagged for a personal foul for a helmet-to-helmet collision, was tossed from the game, then picked up another personal foul for throwing up the double birds before making his way off the field. Ooooof.
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) November 3, 2024
Brian Branch, excellent player, not a great look right there. Unnecessary roughness penalty for the helmet hit, tossed from the game. Then looked like he gave the crowd the double bird and drew another penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) November 3, 2024
The process that led to Branch being ejected can certainly be questioned, along with the attempt to determine intent. But the rulebook leaves open the possibility of an ejection if an unnecessary roughness penalty is deemed to be at a level worthy of it.
Rule 12, Article 8:
"Penalty: For unnecessary roughness: Loss of 15 yards. The player may be disqualified if the action is judged by the official(s) to be flagrant."
The Packers' ensuing drive ended in a missed 46-yard field goal by Brandon McManus, so there was ultimately no harm in Branch's helmet-to-helmet foul and subsequent loss of composure leading to more penalty yards. But now he's not available for the rest of a big game for the Lions, and he'll have a nice fine letter waiting from him at his locker sometime this coming week.
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