The Bills will not have to worry about defensive tackle Alan Branch testing the free agent market. The team and the veteran lineman have agreed on a contract extension that will keep Branch in town for a bit longer, according to Bills reporter Chris Brown. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Branch, who was with the Arizona Cardinals for the first four years of his career, signed with the Bills after playing two seasons with the Seahawks. The veteran served as a backup until Alex Carrington went down with an injury. As a starter, Branch was a run-stuffing lineman. He has played more than 50 percent of the defensive snaps on the year and has been productive on the field.
At 29, Branch was not likely to get a big deal in free agency, so opting to return to Buffalo is probably his best bet for playing time. He has 35 tackles in 15 games this season.
The Bills will close out their season against the Patriots in New England.
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