The NFL has once again penalized Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch, issuing him a fine of $11,598 for a low block committed during Detroit’s 38-30 Week 3 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The infraction, flagged in the fourth quarter with 13:26 left, also resulted in a 15-yard penalty on the field.

This new fine marks Branch’s third of the season and the 13th of his three-year career, reinforcing a trend that has drawn considerable attention. Since entering the NFL, Branch has accumulated 12 earlier fines totaling $118,391, the largest amount for any Lions player over that period. In 2024 alone, he was fined $10,128 on seven occasions, reaching $70,896, and finished as the NFL’s most-fined player that season.

The league follows a collectively bargained fine schedule, adjusting amounts for aggravating or mitigating factors. Branch’s recent punishment was categorized under unnecessary roughness. Some argued the low block was debatable, including ESPN Football Rules Analyst Russell Yurk, who stated live that Branch looked to trip rather than deliberately block illegally, but the NFL still upheld the penalty.

This new fine marks Branch’s third of the season and the 13th of his three-year career, reinforcing a trend that has drawn considerable attention. Since entering the NFL, Branch has accumulated 12 earlier fines totaling $118,391, the largest amount for any Lions player over that period. In 2024 alone, he was fined $10,128 on seven occasions, reaching $70,896, and finished as the NFL’s most-fined player that season.

The league follows a collectively bargained fine schedule, adjusting amounts for aggravating or mitigating factors. Branch’s recent punishment was categorized under unnecessary roughness. Some argued the low block was debatable, including ESPN Football Rules Analyst Russell Yurk, who stated live that Branch looked to trip rather than deliberately block illegally, but the NFL still upheld the penalty.

Branch’s 2025 season opened with two fines in Week 1, both $11,593, for unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct during Detroit’s 27-14 defeat to the Green Bay Packers. Those penalties came on the same sequence, when Branch grabbed Packers tight end Tucker Kraft’s helmet and tossed it.

This new fine marks Branch’s third of the season and the 13th of his three-year career, reinforcing a trend that has drawn considerable attention. Since entering the NFL, Branch has accumulated 12 earlier fines totaling $118,391, the largest amount for any Lions player over that period. In 2024 alone, he was fined $10,128 on seven occasions, reaching $70,896, and finished as the NFL’s most-fined player that season.

The league follows a collectively bargained fine schedule, adjusting amounts for aggravating or mitigating factors. Branch’s recent punishment was categorized under unnecessary roughness. Some argued the low block was debatable, including ESPN Football Rules Analyst Russell Yurk, who stated live that Branch looked to trip rather than deliberately block illegally, but the NFL still upheld the penalty.

Branch’s 2025 season opened with two fines in Week 1, both $11,593, for unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct during Detroit’s 27-14 defeat to the Green Bay Packers. Those penalties came on the same sequence, when Branch grabbed Packers tight end Tucker Kraft’s helmet and tossed it.

Significantly, Branch was the lone Detroit player fined in Week 3. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who scored an 18-yard touchdown versus the Ravens, escaped financial punishment despite broadcast mics catching his profanity-laced celebration. The two-time First-Team All-Pro later apologized for the incident in an ESPN interview with Scott Van Pelt.

St. Brown remains a central weapon in Detroit’s offense. Against Baltimore, he posted seven catches for 77 yards and a touchdown, including a pivotal fourth-down grab in the final quarter that sealed the win. Through three games, he has recorded 20 receptions for 237 yards and four touchdowns, all while starting the first year of his four-year, $120 million extension signed in April 2024.

This new fine marks Branch’s third of the season and the 13th of his three-year career, reinforcing a trend that has drawn considerable attention. Since entering the NFL, Branch has accumulated 12 earlier fines totaling $118,391, the largest amount for any Lions player over that period. In 2024 alone, he was fined $10,128 on seven occasions, reaching $70,896, and finished as the NFL’s most-fined player that season.

The league follows a collectively bargained fine schedule, adjusting amounts for aggravating or mitigating factors. Branch’s recent punishment was categorized under unnecessary roughness. Some argued the low block was debatable, including ESPN Football Rules Analyst Russell Yurk, who stated live that Branch looked to trip rather than deliberately block illegally, but the NFL still upheld the penalty.

Branch’s 2025 season opened with two fines in Week 1, both $11,593, for unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct during Detroit’s 27-14 defeat to the Green Bay Packers. Those penalties came on the same sequence, when Branch grabbed Packers tight end Tucker Kraft’s helmet and tossed it.

Significantly, Branch was the lone Detroit player fined in Week 3. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who scored an 18-yard touchdown versus the Ravens, escaped financial punishment despite broadcast mics catching his profanity-laced celebration. The two-time First-Team All-Pro later apologized for the incident in an ESPN interview with Scott Van Pelt.

St. Brown remains a central weapon in Detroit’s offense. Against Baltimore, he posted seven catches for 77 yards and a touchdown, including a pivotal fourth-down grab in the final quarter that sealed the win. Through three games, he has recorded 20 receptions for 237 yards and four touchdowns, all while starting the first year of his four-year, $120 million extension signed in April 2024.

The Lions’ victory over the Ravens carried weight, representing their first triumph over Baltimore since October 9, 2005, and their first-ever road win against the franchise. The result lifted Detroit to 1-2 entering Week 4.

Ford Field becomes a battleground Sunday at 1 p.m., where the Lions will attempt to channel their momentum surge against the Cleveland Browns.