Alan Branch’s Club-Issued, Week-Long Suspension Lifted By Patriots

Alan Branch officially can return to the New England Patriots.

Branch’s week-long, club-issued suspension was lifted Thursday, according to the NFL’s transaction wire. The defensive tackle was suspended last Thursday prior to the Patriots’ preseason game against the Chicago Bears.

The reason for Branch’s suspension is undisclosed. Branch is in his third year with the Patriots. He played in all 16 regular-season games in 2015, starting 15 and recording 35 tackles with one sack.

The 6-foot-6, 350-pound defensive tackle is in the mix to start for the Patriots this season.

Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images