10 minutes. That’s all it took for Jim Nantz to be proven correct. As theorized, the Detroit Lions-Green Bay Packers players didn’t leave a chance to show that their century-old rivalry was still intact. With around 10 minutes remaining in the first quarter of Week 1, Lions safety Brian Branch struck first. Tussling with Packers’ TE Tucker Kraft at the end of a play, within a matter of seconds, Branch grabbed the latter’s facemask, took off his helmet, and threw it toward the Lions’ sideline. While an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty (15 yards) was handed to the player, he wasn’t ejected. But don’t worry Cheeseheads… 

While Tucker avenged himself by catching a touchdown pass three plays after Branch got his team 15 yards closer to the end zone, wait till you hear how the NFL has struck back. This Saturday, the league announced that Branch was fined for two separate infractions from the game: Two separate $11,593 penalties for taunting and unnecessary roughness (facemasking), totaling a staggering $23,186. The whole incident even led Nantz to repeat, “Well, you know this is a rivalry, if you couldn’t tell before.” What’s worse, this is not Branch’s first such incident against the Packers.

Notably, in their Week 9 clash last season, the player was ejected (unnecessary roughness penalty) in the second quarter for a helmet-to-helmet hit on wideout Bo Melton. Branch had then flipped off the crowd in frustration, thereby earning another similar penalty. He was also docked two separate $10,128 fines on that occasion. In fact, last season, the 23-year-old was the most fined player in the team at $70,896 owing to seven incidents, with his career total over three seasons standing at a staggering $118,391 . But Branch wouldn’t want a similar “accolade” this season, as it might not bode well for him.

This season, the league is increasing its strictness on unsportsmanlike behavior. Branch’s fines were also according to the collectively bargained fine schedule between the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). The NFL reiterated its commitment to “protecting players from unnecessary risk and preserving competitive balance and game integrity” through uniform application of its rules of conduct on the field. Appeals are heard from retired NFL players who serve as independent officers. No wonder the Alabama Crimson Tide player knows he “just got to be the bigger person next time”. As for Dan Campbell, he’s hoping for the same, too, especially after wide receiver Jameson Williams was also penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct in the second quarter and fined $11,593 for taunting.

“He knows better. That was the message…It was one of the things we talked about, man, keeping your head. So he knows better,” the head coach said later. But that was not his only worry, though…

Dan Campbell balances injury concerns

Detroit may have given a clue about left tackle Taylor Decker’s availability after the shoulder injury with Saturday’s practice squad moves. They announced that they are only elevating linebacker Monty Rice to the active roster from the practice squad, bypassing offensive linemen Devin Cochran, Michael Niese, and injured Dan Skipper. That decision leaves the Lions with just eight eligible offensive linemen to suit up for a game—a strong indication that the coaching staff expects Decker to play despite not practicing the entire week.

“Decker’s played a lot of football. And so, he’ll be ready as long as it feels right,” Campbell said. “But yeah, we feel good right now. And there again, we still have another day here, and we’ll see. So, I can’t give you a definitive yes (he’ll play), but that’s where it’s at.” His statement addresses the question mark surrounding Decker’s health and the belief the coaching staff has in the veteran lineman’s preparedness. However, if Decker can’t play, then OT Giovanni Manu would replace him with Kayode Awosika as the emergency tackle.

If Decker doesn’t play, the Lions would have only seven healthy offensive linemen. And as per the game day roster rule, if a team has eight offensive linemen on game day, then they can dress 48 players instead of the normal 47. The Lions utilize this rule in most matchups. So not promoting from the offensive line is one of the more telling roster choices by Campbell. Official confirmation on Decker’s availability will come on Sunday, when the Lions release Week 2 inactives before the Bears matchup. Even then, Campbell will need to keep an eye out for his defense’s rough nature to avoid ejections amidst all the injury woes.