NFL Admits to Officiating Error as Lions Star Is Punished Late for Illegal Play on Tucker Kraft During Packers Game

NFL Admits to Officiating Error as Lions Star Is Punished Late for Illegal Play on Tucker Kraft During Packers Game

NFL officiating has endured relentless criticism throughout the 2026 season, but a controversial Week 7 Packers–Lions showdown pushed frustration to a boiling point. Amid eight penalties against Green Bay and sharp rebukes from the broadcast booth, one glaring oversight stood out: Lions safety Brian Branch’s unflagged helmet-to-helmet hit on Tucker Kraft. Long after the dust had settled and Green Bay had already played its eighth game, the leagu…

Packers Get NFL Ruling on Tucker Kraft-Brian Branch Collision

The Green Bay Packers have encountered a ruling from the NFL regarding a controversial hit on tight end Tucker Kraft during their recent loss to the Detroit Lions. The league has fined Lions safety Brian Branch $23,882 for unnecessary roughness stemming from a helmet-to-helmet collision with Kraft during the first quarter of Detroit’s 20-17 victory […]

Lions’ Brian Branch hit with hefty fine after return against Packers

After not playing in an NFL game since last December, Brian Branch picked up more than an interception in his return to the field during the Lions’ win over the Packers on Sunday.

Brian Branch Fined for an Unflagged Packers Hit

Brian Branch fined $23,882 by the NFL for an unflagged first-quarter hit on Packers tight end Tucker Kraft. Derrick Barnes was fined $11,941 for a late hit.

Brian Branch, 1 other Detroit Lions player fined for Packers game

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch was fined this week for a hit delivered to Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft. The fine was for “use of the helmet,” and carries a $23,882 fine. That is the standard amount of a penalty like this, as it was his first offense of the season—but far from […]