Patriots DT Alan Branch Wins Appeal Of His 4-Game Suspension

Field Yates of ESPN reports that Patriots DT Alan Branch has won the appeal of his four-game suspension handed down by the NFL a few weeks ago.

Branch’s violation reportedly stemmed from a positive marijuana test but he has been playing with the team while his appeal was pending.

It’s rare for a player to win an appeal against the NFL, so it will be interesting hear the details of how he won his appeal.

The Patriots actually suspended Branch this summer for a violation of team rules.

Branch, 31, is a former second-round pick of the Cardinals back in 2007. He spent four years in Arizona before brief stints with the Seahawks and Bills.

The Patriots elected to sign him to a two-year, $4.3 million contract in March of last year. He stands to make a base salary of $1.2 million in 2016 after the Patriots paid him his $400,000 offseason roster bonus.

In 2016, Branch has appeared in 11 games for New England and recorded 39 total tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and a pass defense. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 41 interior defender out of 122 qualifying players.