Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch has been ejected from the game against the Green Bay Packers after a brutal helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers wide receiver Bo Melton.
More news: Cowboys’ Dak Prescott Exits the Game With Significant Hand Injury
The brutal hit was given a flag for helmet-to-helmet, but further review indicated that Branch engaged in unsportsmanlike conduct, and he has now been ejected from the game.
Initially, Branch had only been hit with the flag for the hit. After much discussion with the officials in the game, he was then ejected from the game.
The ejection is tough to deal with for the Lions, as Branch is one of the best secondary players in the league.
Ari Meirov posted more about what happened, and it appears that Branch was merely ejected for the hit. To be honest, he was going in for the tackle and though it was helmet-to-helmet, there isn’t a lot in the above video that should have led to his ejection.
Either way, the Lions are now going to be without Branch for the rest of the game. The young defender is shown attempting to plead with the officials but to no avail. He was immediately taken into the locker room.
At the time of this writing, the Lions are leading the way with a 7-3 score. This is a pivotal divisional matchup, not only because both teams are in the NFC North — but they are both angling to take first place in the division.
The Lions are currently in first place with a 6-1 record, but the Packers are right behind with a 6-2 record. A win today would put the Green Back back in the driver’s seat for the division.
There is plenty more football to play, but divisional matchups matter even more simply because things can come down to the wire in terms of who secures the division crown and a playoff spot.
The Lions continue to showcase their dominance in the NFL. They surprised everyone in the NFL in 2023, putting together the first NFC North win in 30 years. They nearly made the Super Bowl but were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.
As is stands right now, the Lions are showcasing that same level of skill and could be the team to beat in the NFC once again. Losing Branch for the game will be tough to deal with, but Detroit will need to keep the ball rolling.
For more on the Lions, head to Newsweek Sports.
The post Lions Defensive Back Ejected From Game After Brutal Hit to Packers WR appeared first on Newsweek.
