ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard is making his full support known for suspended defensive back Brian Branch.

Sheppard said he and Branch have conversations all the time, and he takes the role of being a mentor seriously. He added that, as a former “toe-the-line” type of player, he can connect and understand where Branch is coming from in those situations.

Branch w ill miss the team’s upcoming Monday Night Football showdown while serving a one-game suspension without pay . He was at the center of a postgame altercation, striking Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu-Smith-Schuster and setting off a wild scene with the football world watching .

Sheppard said he’s missing Branch this week and hasn’t seen him since he started serving his suspension. Bran

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