Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch has been handed a suspension following his heated actions after Sunday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Detroit Lions returned to Michigan disappointed after being thoroughly defeated by the Chiefs, 30-17. Unfortunately for the team, the bad news didn’t end with the scoreboard.

According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Branch has been suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct after his postgame altercation with Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, during which Branch appeared to slap the receiver on the side of the head.

Under the current CBA (collective bargaining agreement), Branch is eligible to appeal the suspension. The grievance would be reviewed and ruled upon by Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson—the neutral officers jointly selected and paid by the NFL and NFLPA to oversee such appeals.

However, the odds of the suspension being overturned appear to be slim.

The 2024 Pro Bowl safety will also lose one game check as part of the league’s disciplinary ruling.

That’s more bad news for a Lions secondary already ravaged by injuries this season.

Detroit entered Sunday Night Football against the Chiefs without five of their top six cornerbacks, leaving the defensive backfield dangerously thin. The timing couldn’t be worse, as the Lions are set to face the NFL-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has been in excellent form, ranking among league leaders despite missing key receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

Perhaps the only silver lining for Detroit is that rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka suffered a hamstring injury during the Buccaneers’ win over the San Francisco 49ers, and his status for Week 7 remains uncertain.