Getty Brian Branch looks on before a Detroit Lions game.
The rough week for Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch just got worse.
Branch was knocked out of the team’s Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals after a helmet-to-helmet hit with tight end Trey McBride, sending him to concussion protocol with a neck injury.
Branch also learned on Saturday that he would be fined for the hit and another one that took place earlier in the game.
“He entered concussion protocol Sunday after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Cardinals tight end Trey McBride. For the hit, he was fined $10,128 by the league for unnecessary roughness/use of helmet,” noted reporter John Maakaron of SI.com.
The NFL fined #Lions S Brian Branch $10,128 for unnecessary roughness/use of helmet last week on the play that put Branch and #Cardinals TE Trey McBride in concussion protocol.
Branch was fined another $10,128 for a separate incident in the game.
Branch was also fined the same amount for a hit earlier in the game on a field goal attempt, Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk noted.
“The NFL also fined Branch $10,128 for unnecessary roughness for striking/kicking/kneeing an opponent, who appeared to be Tip Reiman, on kicker Matt Prater’s 42-yard field goal to end the first half,” Williams wrote.
Expensive Win for the Lions
Though the Lions were able to secure a 20-13 win over the Cardinals, it came at a high cost to several players. As Maakaron noted, Lions safety Kerby Joseph and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin were also hit with fines by the NFL. Joseph’s fine came for a hit on a defenseless receiver and Reeves-Maybin was docked for a late hit, Makaaron reported.
The Lions also suffered some costly injuries in the game. Center Frank Ragnow suffered a partially torn pectoral, though managed to remain in the game and play every snap against the Cardinals.
Though Ragnow was ruled out of the team’s Monday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks, head coach Dan Campbell said he believes the center could avoid going on injured reserve.
“I don’t feel that way, I really don’t,” Campbell said, via SI.com. “And Frank heals up really quickly, normally. He does, he heals pretty quick. I mean, he’s already – like I said, he’s starting to feel a lot better. So, I don’t feel that way, but it’s – we’re still early here.”
Lions tight end Sam LaPorta was also hurt in the win, though he is also expected to play on Monday against the Seahawks.
Brian Branch Makes Important Progress
Branch showed some important signs of progress this week after being placed in concussion protocol. As CBS Sports noted, he was able to return to practice in full on Friday and appears to be nearing the end of the concussion protocol.
“Branch continues to progress through concussion protocols and by logging a full practice Friday, he’s on the cusp of being cleared,” the report noted. “The Lions will host the Seahawks on Monday Night Football and Branch appears to be on track to be a full go.”
Branch’s hit led to some scary moments as both he and McBride fell to the turf and remained motionless for a time. Branch was eventually helped off the field and taken to the locker room.
Branch has started all three games for the Lions this season, making seven total tackles including one tackle for a loss. He also has one interception.
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Previously he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as the assistant editor of athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He is based out of Rochester, New York, and loves everything football. More about Nathan Dougherty
