The NFL slapped two of the Detroit Lions’ top defenders with major punishments just two days after the team lost to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving.
Detroit hosted its NFC North Division rival on a short week, so the penalties actually stemmed from the team’s game against the New York Giants on Sunday, November 23.
The league levied a $23,186 fine against safety Brian Branch for unnecessary roughness stemming from a “hit on a defenseless player,” per the Office of Game-Day Accountability. Branch has faced punishment from the league on several occasions in 2025, including a one-game suspension for starting a brawl with Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster following a loss in October.
Linebacker Jack Campbell will pay $17,389 for unnecessary roughness via a hip-drop tackle. A third Lion, offensive tackle Dan Skipper, caught a $6,917 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct in the form of taunting.
If any Lions face punishments for in-game actions against the Packers, the league will announce them on Saturday, December 6.
Lions Catch Tough Break With Frank Ragnow Injury
Saturday was full of disappointing news in Detroit, after the team released a statement indicating that center Frank Ragnow, who planned on coming out of retirement and rejoining the team, would not be able to do so.
“Frank Ragnow reported to our facility yesterday and went through the normal process of meetings. Unfortunately, during the routine meeting with our medical team, Frank failed his physical,” the Lions wrote. “The medical exam revealed a Grade 3 hamstring strain that will keep him from participating for the remainder of the regular season. For that reason, Frank will not be rejoining the Lions.”
Ragnow would have been a boon to a Lions’ offensive line that has battled injury issues all season long. Pro Football Focus ranked the unit 10th in the league heading into Week 13, though center Graham Glasgow, who Ragnow would have presumably replaced, is the weakest link.
“The Lions gave up six pressures [against the Giants], including two sacks, on 43 drop-backs and notched a 90.7 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating, the fifth-highest mark of Week 12,” Zoltan Buday wrote. “Center Graham Glasgow continues to be a liability in pass protection for the Lions. He earned a team-low 46.4 PFF pass-blocking grade against the Giants and has now allowed a quarterback knockdown (sack or quarterback hit) on 1.8% of pass plays, which is the sixth-worst rate among centers.”
Ragnow’s initial retirement came as something of a surprise, as he is just 29 years old and earned Pro-Bowl honors in each of the previous three seasons, as well as All-Pro honors in both of the last two campaigns.
Lions Face Playoff Uncertainty After Loss to Packers
GettyDetroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff.
Detroit surrendered seven QB hits and three sacks to the Packers on Thanksgiving Day in a 31-24 loss that dropped the Lions to 7-5 on the season.
Green Bay (8-3-1) will host the Chicago Bears (9-3) next weekend, with the winner assuming control of the NFC North Division with just four games to play.
Detroit captured the division crown in each of the past two seasons, but will now have to play well down the stretch simply to make the playoffs in a competitive conference.
