Alan Branch Wins Appeal, Suspension Overturned

According to ESPN's Field Yates, defensive lineman Alan Branch has won the appeal of his four game suspension for testing positive for marijuana:

Source: Patriots DT Alan Branch has won the appeal of his 4-game suspension. No suspension now for Branch. He plays on.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 3, 2016

This is great news for the Patriots, especially in a week where all signs point to Rob Gronkowski being lost for the season. Branch has been one of New England's most consistent run stuffers and a very solid presence along the font line. Keeping him in the lineup helps to maintain some depth at the position and allows the Patriots to be more creative with their pressure schemes and solidifies the middle of the line.

Barring any kind of successful appeal getting overturned (we don't know anything about that happening, right?), Branch should be good to go for the rest of the year.