Patriots sign Alan Branch
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Foxboro, MA (SportsNetwork.com) - The New England Patriots signed defensive lineman Alan Branch and released linebacker Deontae Skinner on Wednesday.
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 in August.
A second-round pick by Arizona in 2007, Branch has started in 47 of 94 NFL games and has recorded 170 total tackles with eight sacks. Last season with Buffalo, he played in all 16 games and finished with 39 total tackles.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Skinner, 24, was originally signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent out of Mississippi State. 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.