DigitalVinyl said:

I deep planted my tomato transplants, about an extra 4 inches. this
left one to two sizeable branches (the largest on one of 'em) running
close or against the ground.

SHould I cut these off?

I don't cut off any healthy foliage on transplants, and only prune side shoots
on staked tomatoes.

Put some clean mulch under the plants if you are worried. Chopped straw on
newspaper, dried grass clippings, or (what really seems to make my tomatoes
happy) shredded leaves mixed with cocoashells and coffeegrounds.
--
Pat in Plymouth MI

Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)