Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin said JuJu Smith-Schuster deserved to get punched by Brian Branch. During an appearance on the “Club 520” podcast this week, Franklin stuck up for Branch, who was suspended one game for socking Smith-Schuster after the Lions’ loss to the Chiefs on Sunday.

As teams met near midfield following the final whistle, Branch walked past Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, declining his handshake, and approached Smith‑Schuster; Branch then struck Smith‑Schuster in the face, knocking him down and drawing a brief melee that involved players from both teams.

Cameras showed Smith-Schuster bleeding as he made his way to the Chiefs’ locker room. After the game, Branch stated that his cheap shot on Smith-Schuster stemmed from unhappiness over a hit he took from the veteran wide receiver on a blocking play, believing there should have been a flag: