Brian Branch precedent points to a suspension for Alaric Jackson

Last year, the NFL imposed a one-game suspension on Lions safety Brian Branch for striking Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster with an open hand to the facemask in the immediate aftermath of a Sunday night game. “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,” NFL V.P. of football operations Jon Runyan wrote in a letter to Branch, exactly one year ago to the day.