Patriots Reportedly Set To Sign DL Alan Branch
Defensive lineman Allan Branch gives chase to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
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BOSTON (CBS) — With Chandler Jones now out for the next month with a hip injury, the Patriots are reportedly adding another defensive lineman to the mix.
New England is expected to sign free-agent defensive lineman Alan Branch, according to Shalise Manza-Young of the Boston Globe and Albert Breer of The NFL Network.
The 6-foot-6, 325-pound Branch would be a big body to fill in along the Patriots’ defensive front, and brings some versatility to the line. The 29-year-old run-stuffer can play defensive end in a 3-4 set or defensive tackle in a 4-3, and could provide some help to a run defense that has allowed over 126 yards per game this season — 24th in the NFL.
He spent his first four years in the league in Arizona after being drafted in the second round of the 2007 draft out of Michigan (originally by Oakland and then traded to Arizona), recording 54 tackles and four sacks in 47 games played with the Cardinals. He then spent two seasons in Seattle, starting 31 games and recording four sacks, and played 13 games for the Buffalo Bills last season.
However, he does come with some baggage. Branch was cut loose by Buffalo over the summer after being arrested for drunken driving, reportedly did not attend any voluntary workouts with Buffalo over the offseason, and failed a physical when he showed up for training camp.
New England will be Branch’s fourth team over the last five seasons.
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