Zaire Franklin Says JuJu Smith-Schuster 'Needed His Ass Whooped' After Branch Scuffle

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin backed Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch following his recent scuffle with Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.

"First of all, JuJu needed his ass whooped," Franklin said during an appearance on the Club 50 Podcast. "Let's just go there, number one. Him specifically, really needs his ass whooped."

After the Chiefs wrapped up a 30-17 win over the Lions on Sunday, Branch approached Smith-Schuster and hit him in the head before their teammates got involved in the altercation.

Branch was eventually suspended one game by the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct.

As for Franklin, he elaborated on his perspective regarding Smith-Schuster.

"This is my thing," Franklin said (0:31 mark). "I'm gonna talk greasy to you. We gonna go right up and when we get that one-on-one, I ain't gonna duck the smoke. So whether I win or lose, it is what it is. He the type that's going to do all the little weird, sneaky stuff. Push you behind the bak, go run to the ref."

Branch was regretful of his actions following the loss to Kansas City.

"It was a childish thing, but I'm tired of people doing stuff in between the play and refs don't catch it," Branch told reporters after the game. "They be trying to bully me out there. I should have never did it. It was childish."

The 2024 Pro Bowler also said that Smith-Schuster blocked him in the back in front of an official, leading to his frustration after the fourth quarter came to a close.

"I got blocked in the back illegally," Branch explained (via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk). "It was in front of the ref, the ref didn't do anything. Stuff like that. I could've gotten hurt off that. But I still shouldn't have done that."

Franklin has started in all six games for the Colts this season, recording 36 tackles and three passes defended to go along with one sack.

He wrapped up a breakout season with Indianapolis in 2024, amassing a league-leading 173 tackles and earning AP All-Pro Second Team honors.

Franklin's Colts will face Smith-Schuster and the Chiefs in Week 12 on Nov. 23.