For the seventh time this season, Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch has been fined by the NFL, this time to the tune of $10,128. The league cited a tackle on San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle during Detroit’s 40-34 Monday night victory, deeming the play unnecessary roughness due to Branch’s helmet usage. No penalty was called on the field. This latest fine restores Branch’s position as the NFL’s most fined player, surpassing Philadelphia Eagles safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, who has received six fines this season. The NFL announced Week 17 fines on Saturday.
Among the 35 players fined for Week 17 infractions, three others hail from Alabama high schools and colleges. Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (Alabama) received a $11,817 fine for unnecessary roughness (striking/kicking/kneeing), despite no on-field penalty. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (Hoover) was fined $10,231 for unsportsmanlike conduct (helmet removal). While penalized during the team’s 29-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on December 25th, the penalty was for a false start, not the unsportsmanlike conduct cited for the fine. This is Pickens’ fifth fine of the season, placing him third overall in the league. Finally, Carolina Panthers defensive end A’Shawn Robinson (Alabama) was fined $16,883 for roughing the passer (contact below the knee), a penalty that was flagged during their 48-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The NFL utilizes a collectively bargained fine schedule to determine penalties, with aggravating and mitigating factors influencing the final amount. For more NFL coverage from AL.com, visit their dedicated NFL page.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.