The Detroit Lions fell to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football last weekend, but any talk about the game itself was quickly overshadowed by the chaotic fight that erupted at the end of regulation.

After Patrick Mahomes took a final kneel-down to seal the Chiefs’ 30–17 victory, Lions safety Brian Branch appeared to take a swing at Kansas City wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. The hit sparked a scuffle that left Smith-Schuster bleeding as he exited the field. Later, Branch defended his actions, claiming he was responding to what he called a “cheap shot” earlier in the contest.

Detroit head coach Dan Campbell was visibly frustrated with Branch’s behavior and criticized the young defender during his postgame press conference. However, by Tuesday, Campbell struck a much more understanding tone when addressing the media about the situation.

Reacting to the NFL’s decision to suspend Branch for one game, Campbell offered a gracious message to his 23-year-old player, praising his character while emphasizing accountability. “I saw him yesterday before all this came down—he knows,” Campbell said, per Ben Raven of MLive. “He’ll learn from it. This was one of those moments that happen, but no matter what led up to it, you can’t take it out on someone else. You can’t cross that line. He’s a great kid with a big heart.”

Campbell had previously labeled Branch’s actions “unacceptable,” but his latest comments suggested that he believes the lesson has already been learned. While Branch faces the consequences of his outburst, his coach seems unwilling to further admonish him.

The Lions, meanwhile, will feel Branch’s absence when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night. With an already depleted secondary, his suspension couldn’t have come at a worse time. Though Branch plans to appeal, his chances of overturning the league’s ruling appear slim.

It’s a tough situation for Detroit, but Campbell remains optimistic. He believes Branch will use the experience as a stepping stone to grow both on and off the field, closing the chapter on an incident the team is eager to move past.