Bills defensive tackle Alan Branch did not play in his team’s preseason loss to the Buccaneers earlier this evening. After the game, head coach Doug Marrone revealed the reason, stating that the 29-year-old had been arrested. He declined to discuss the specifics, but sources tell Tim Graham of the Buffalo News that the player was arrested for drunk-driving. WGR’s Joe Buscaglia confirms that report (via Twitter). Graham adds some context in a tweet, stating that New York State Police out of Clarence arrested Branch at about 2:30 a.m.
Marone spoke briefly on the subject in his postgame news conference (via Graham):
“It was reported to me that he was arrested,” Marrone said. “I’m going to meet with him tomorrow. I found out somewhere around noontime, midday. I just had too much on my mind.
“I tried to call him, couldn’t get ahold of him. But I wanted to get ahold of him some other way, so I got ahold of him through other people and just said, ‘Hey, I’ll meet with you tomorrow.
“But that’s all I know for a fact. I can’t say anything else.”
Things started well for Branch and the Bills. The team signed him to a one-year deal last offseason, and they soon extended him in December.
The relationship eventually soured between the two sides, as Graham notes. The player didn’t attend the voluntary offseason workouts and failed conditioning test during training camp. We heard last week that the team could consider moving the lineman.
He started 13 of his 16 games last season, compiling 39 tackles. He began his career with the Cardinals before spending two seasons with the Seahawks. Over his career, Branch has 170 tackles and eight sacks.