The first penalty of Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch’s NFL career for helmet-to-helmet contact resulted in his ejection from Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.

Branch hit Bo Melton square in the face mask with the top of his helmet after a second-and-20 pass from quarterback Jordan Love went through the Green Bay wide receiver’s hands with 6:10 left in the second quarter.

Branch was flagged on the field for the hit. After video review, the former Alabama defensive back was ejected from the game.

After being told of his ejection, Branch picked up an unsportstmanlike-conduct penalty on his way off the field.

The two penalties moved Green Bay from its 38-yard line to the Detroit 32.

A second-round draft choice from the Crimson Tide in 2023, Branch finished fifth in the voting for the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Mainly stationed at nickel corner last season for the Lions, Branch is handling a safety spot in 2024.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.