Lions' Branch suspended one game for fight

The NFL on Monday suspended Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch for one game without pay for unsportsmanlike conduct, after he struck Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and set off a brief fight Sunday night.

"Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players. Your conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game," NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan wrote in a letter to Branch.

Branch can appeal the suspension. He is set to miss the Lions' game next Monday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will be eligible to return to the active roster the following day.

After Kansas City's 30-17 victory Sunday night, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tried to give a high-five to Branch as they met near midfield. Branch walked past Mahomes, and Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster took umbrage with the move, walking up to Branch and having a few words with him.

Branch responded by striking Smith-Schuster in his facemask, sending him to the ground.

Smith-Schuster leaped to his feet and went after Branch, who played despite an ankle injury that had kept him out of practice most of the week. Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco tried to get between them, but Branch succeeded in ripping Smith-Schuster's helmet off as dozens of players from both teams converged on the scrum.

Eventually, coaches and players separated the parties, and they finally left the field for the locker room.