FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced that they have signed veteran DL Alan Branch.
In addition, the Patriots released rookie LB Deontae Skinner.
Branch, 29, is a veteran of seven NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2007-10), Seattle Seahawks (2011-12) and Buffalo Bills (2013). The 6-foot-6, 325-pounder went to training camp with Buffalo this past summer but was released on Aug. 24. Branch entered the NFL as a second round (33rd overall) draft pick out of Michigan by Arizona in the 2007 NFL Draft. He joined Seattle as an unrestricted free agent in 2011 and Buffalo as an unrestricted free agent in 2013. Branch has started in 47 of 94 NFL games and has recorded 170 total tackles and eight sacks. Last season with Buffalo, he played in all 16 games and finished with 39 total tackles.
Skinner, 24, was originally signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent out of Mississippi State on May 12, 2014. The 6-foot-2, 250-pounder, was released by the Patriots on Aug. 26 and signed to the practice squad on Sept. 1. He was signed to the 53-man roster from the practice squad on Sept. 13 and played in seven games with one start, accumulating 10 total tackles and three special teams tackles.
