Patriots Sign DT Alan Branch, Cut LB Deontae Skinner

Update:

The Patriots have announced the signing of veteran DT Alan Branch on Wednesday, as expected.

New England placed rookie LB Deontae Skinner on waivers to make room for Branch.

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Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston reports that free agent DT Alan Branch is at Gillette Stadium Wednesday and could participate in the team’s practice today.

• Reiss adds that the Patriots should announce the move at some point in the day.

Shalise Manza Young mentioned earlier in the week that the Patriots surprising hadn’t officially signed Branch even though reporters saw him, his locker, and his jersey number.

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Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe reports that the Patriots are expected to sign veteran DT Alan Branch to a contract.

• Albert Breer confirms the report and adds that Branch will receive a one-year contract from New England.

The Patriots aren’t wasting any time adding depth their defense following the injuries to LB Jerod Mayo and DE Chandler Jones, who is expected “about a month” with a hip injury.

New England also acquired LB Akeem Ayers in a trade with the Titans earlier in the day.

Branch, 29, spent the 2013 season with the Buffalo Bills, but was cut loose after he was arrested for a DUI back in August.

This came less than a year after the Bills signed Branch to a three-year extension worth $8.5 million. However, the Bills were still able to free up $1.9 million in available cap space by cutting him loose.

Last year, Branch appeared in all 16 games and recorded 39 tackles for the Bills.