Patriots Officially Add Veteran Defensive Lineman 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) — Veteran defensive lineman Alan Branch is officially a member of the New England Patriots, and will practice with the team on Wednesday.
After a week of workouts and speculation, the Patriots and Branch finally reached an agreement. To make room for Branch on the roster, the Patriots released rookie linebacker Deontae Skinner.
The 29-year-old Branch is a veteran of seven NFL seasons, starting 47 of the 94 games he’s played in. In his time with the Arizona Cardinals (2007-10), Seattle Seahawks (2011-12) and Buffalo Bills (2013), the 6-foot-6, 325-pound Branch has recorded 170 total tackles and eight sacks.
He played in all 16 games for the Bills last season, finishing with 39 total tackles.
However, Branch does come with some baggage. He reportedly did not attend any voluntary workouts with Buffalo over the offseason, failed a physical when he showed up for training camp, and was cut loose by after being arrested for drunken driving.
New England will be Branch’s fourth team over the last five seasons.
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