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New England Patriots Officially Sign DL Alan Branch

By Phil Watson

Aug 16, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Alan Branch (90) stands on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Alan Branch (90) stands on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /
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In a move that was discussed for several days before it finally happened, the New England Patriots on Wednesday announced the signing of defensive lineman Alan Branch.

The New England Patriots signed veteran defensive lineman Alan Branch on Wednesday, ending days of speculation that they were considering bringing in the seven-year veteran.

They announced the signing on their website.

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Branch hasn’t played since Aug. 16, when he was with the

Buffalo Bills

before being released Aug. 4 following his arrest on DWI charges early on Aug. 23 in Cheektowaga, N.Y., a suburb east of Buffalo.

Branch has reportedly resolved the case, according to Pro Football Talk, opening the door for the Patriots to finalize the deal. They actually brought him in last week.

Branch, 29, comes in at a good time. Defensive end Chandler Jones is out with a hip injury and defensive lineman Dominique Easley has been battling a knee injury.

Branch had 39 tackles last season for the Bills along with one pass defensed.

A second-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2007 out of Michigan, Branch spent four years with the Cardinals before playing two season with the Seattle Seahawks.

He has eight career sacks.

To make room on the roster, the Patriots released linebacker Deontae Skinner. Skinner, 23, an undrafted free agent from Mississippi State, was cut at the end of the preseason by New England and joined the Pats’ practice squad.

He joined the active roster on Sept. 13 and had 16 tackles and a sack in seven games, starting one.

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