Patriots Officially Sign Alan Branch, Release Deontae Skinner

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The wait is over.

After a week of speculation, workouts, and a locker room sighting last Thursday, the New England Patriots on Wednesday officially announced that they have signed defensive tackle Alan Branch.

Branch was a second-round pick (33rd overall) by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2007 NFL draft. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound monster has also played with the Seattle Seahawks (2011-2012) and Buffalo Bills (2013). Branch began his career as a situational defender, but earned a starting role after signing with the Seahawks in 2011, and has started in 44 of his 47 games since then.

He started 13 of 16 games with the Bills, and had signed a multi-year contract extension, but was released by the team following a DUI arrest in August, and has been a free agent since then.

If and when he finds his way into the lineup, Branch should help the Patriots’ interior run defense, which has struggled this season in allowing 4.6 yards per rush attempt (25th in the NFL).

In order to make room for the signing, the Patriots released linebacker Deontae Skinner. It’s reasonable to assume that the Patriots would try to get him back onto the practice squad if and when he clears waivers, but for now, the Patriots are scary thin at linebacker.

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