The Detroit Lions faced disciplinary action from the NFL following their Week 3 victory against the Arizona Cardinals, with multiple players receiving fines for actions during the game.
According to a report from Pride of Detroit, the NFL handed down fines to four Lions players in total. Safety Brian Branch received two separate fines. The first was for $10,128, penalizing Branch for helmet-to-helmet contact with Arizona tight end Trey McBride. In addition to Branch, Lions players Kerby Joseph and Jalen Reeves-Maybin were also fined for actions during the game. Joseph was fined $7,505, while Reeves-Maybin was fined $11,255. The total fines for the Lions amounted to over $38,000 from this single game.
Context of the Infractions for Detroit Lions
The fines handed down to the Lions are part of the league’s ongoing efforts to prioritize player safety and enforce rules around physical contact. Helmet-to-helmet collisions, which are considered dangerous and against league policy, often lead to disciplinary measures like the fines issued to Branch. The NFL regularly monitors game footage to identify any violations of these rules, and fines are used as a way to deter unsafe play.
The Bottom Line
The good news was that Brian Branch cleared concussion protocol and was expected to play on Monday Night Football against the visiting Seattle Seahawks. However, the Lions have now listed Branch as “Doubtful” on the injury report due to an illness. Stay tuned for updates.
