TAMPA, Fla. -- Veteran defensive tackle Alan Branch didn't travel with the New England Patriots for their Thursday night game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a decision that is similar to the 2016 season when defensive end Jabaal Sheard didn't accompany the team to San Francisco.
Just like Sheard's situation at the time, the decision is based on performance. Branch, who in 2016 was called the team's most consistent interior defensive lineman by coach Bill Belichick and then was re-signed to a two-year deal as an unrestricted free agent this offseason, has struggled to find that form this year.