Lions Safety Throws 'Inexcusable' Punch After Loss
The theatrics didn't end with the buzzer in Sunday's game between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs.
Following the final kneel-downs from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in a 30-17 Lions' loss, the two teams converged in a scrum near midfield. At the center of the dispute was safety Brian Branch.
On the television broadcast, replay showed that the incident started when Branch refused to acknowledge an extended hand from Mahomes. After walking past Mahomes, Branch punched Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
The act of slapping Smith-Schuster caused a reaction from Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, while Smith-Schuster raced after the Lions' defender along with several of his teammates.
Soon the two teams were converged together. It appeared that safety Kerby Joseph was in the middle of the fray attempting to pull his fellow safety out of the action. It appeared as though Branch landed at least one more punch before players on both sides were able to separate.
Because Branch appeared to have started the fight, he could be subject to league discipline such as a fine or suspension. Per the NFL rules for accountability, a first-time offense for fighting is subject to a $40,686 fine.
A fight broke out at the end of the Lions-Chiefs game.
The events that led to it:
◽️ Brian Branch refused to shake hands with Patrick Mahomes
◽️ JuJu Smith-Schuster confronted Branch
◽️ Branch slapped Smith-Schuster
🎥 @SNFonNBC | H/T @Rate_the_Refs pic.twitter.com/Ki4xjhHOMD — The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 13, 2025
Lions coach Dan Campbell voiced his frustration with the young defender to begin his postgame press conference.
"I love Brian Branch, but what he did was inexcusable," Campbell said. "It's not gonna be accepted here. I apologize to coach (Andy) Reid and the Chiefs and Schuster. That's not okay. That's not what we do here. He knows it, our team knows it. That's not what we do."
Kansas City's Sports Radio 810 reported that Smith-Schuster was wearing a towel over his nose on the way to the locker room following the game.
The Alabama product had six total tackles, including three solos, in Sunday's loss.
After the game, Mahomes offered a comment on his vantage point of what happened in the postgame incident.
"We play the game in between the whistles. They can do all the extracurricular stuff they want to do, but we play the game in between the whistles," Mahomes said in a postgame interview with NBC. "We thought a great game today, and we'll keep this momentum moving forward.
NBC color commentator Chris Collinsworth expressed that the NFL could be inclined to take action against the third-year safety for his actions following the game.
"The league's gonna take action on that one against Branch," Collinsworth said on the broadcast.
The Chiefs held serve for much of Sunday's game as there were several players dealing with injuries. Branch was listed on the injury report throughout the week, and Joseph missed some time during the game before returning.
BREAKING: Rams Make Key Roster Moves as Playoff Push Intensifies: “Baby Gronk” and Derion Kendrick Join the Team
Los Angeles, CA – November 27, 2025
In a day filled with significant moves, the Los Angeles Rams have bolstered their roster ahead of a critical stretch in their season. Head coach Sean McVay, known for his strategic decision-making, has brought in veteran tight end Nick Vannett—affectionately known as “Baby Gronk”—and reacquired cornerback Derion Kendrick, making these key roster shifts in response to a series of injuries that have threatened the team’s depth.
The Rams were awarded Kendrick, a cornerback they originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, after the Seattle Seahawks waived him. Kendrick, 25, was waived by the Rams at the end of the preseason, only to find his way back to Los Angeles after a solid 2025 campaign with Seattle. This season, Kendrick has played in 10 games, recording 7 total tackles, 5 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions. His versatility, with the ability to play both inside and outside, is expected to be crucial as the Rams deal with injuries to multiple defensive backs.
Kendrick’s addition is especially timely after the Rams were forced to place starting cornerback Roger McCreary on injured reserve due to a groin issue. McVay called the injury a "bummer," especially considering the Rams had already lost safety Quentin Lake to a dislocated elbow earlier in the season. The loss of McCreary, acquired at the trade deadline, further thins the Rams' secondary, making Kendrick’s return all the more significant. McVay expressed confidence that Kendrick’s familiarity with the system and game experience would prove vital.
“I feel fortunate that guys we’re asking to step up are people who understand what’s going on, have real game experience, and that means a lot this time of year,” McVay said.
The Rams’ tight end position also received a boost with the signing of Vannett, who has been a reliable option throughout his career. Vannett, 32, was with the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad before Los Angeles added him to their active roster. Known as "Baby Gronk" due to his physical style of play, Vannett brings veteran leadership to a position hit hard by injury. Tyler Higbee, the team’s primary tight end, was recently placed on injured reserve due to an ankle injury, and he is expected to miss at least three games. Vannett, a third-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2016, has caught 108 passes for 1,012 yards and 9 touchdowns in his career, making him a solid addition to a Rams offense that has struggled to maintain consistency at the tight end spot this season.
These moves come as the Rams are heading into their Week 13 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. With the playoff race intensifying, McVay is focused on adding depth to a roster that has been decimated by injuries but still has a fighting chance at postseason play. In addition to Kendrick and Vannett, the Rams also welcomed back cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and wide receiver Tutu Atwell, both of whom have been on injured reserve for over a month. Witherspoon, who broke his collarbone in Week 2, and Atwell, who suffered a hamstring injury in Week 7, will provide much-needed reinforcement in the secondary and at wide receiver.
As McVay continues to manage an injury-riddled roster, he remains optimistic about the team’s depth, citing the return of experienced players like Witherspoon and Atwell as a key factor in the Rams’ postseason aspirations.
“This is the time of year where guys are stepping up, and we need everyone ready to contribute,” McVay said.
With injuries continuing to challenge the Rams, the acquisition of Vannett and Kendrick, along with the return of key veterans, highlights McVay’s commitment to making a deep playoff run. The Rams will need all the help they can get as they enter the final stretch of the season, and these strategic roster moves may be just what they need to keep their postseason hopes alive.
As the Rams look to keep their playoff dreams intact, McVay’s confidence in his roster’s ability to step up during critical moments will be tested in the coming weeks. The team’s depth will undoubtedly be put to the test, and these additions represent the Rams’ effort to continue competing at a high level, despite the adversity they’ve faced this season.
