Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch has been banned for one game without pay by the NFL after he punched Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster in an incident that set off a post-game scuffle.

NFL vice president of football operations, Jon Runyan, wrote in a letter to Branch: "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."

Branch - who can appeal the suspension - is poised to miss the Lions' game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Monday.

The 23-year-old will be eligible to re-join the active roster the following day.

Branch: I did a little childish thing

Sunday's s

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