Patriots Making Moves, Release Branch

New England announces a series of roster moves on the eve of the game vs Indianapolis, including the release of WR Deion Branch

FOXBOROUGH -- The New England Patriots announced a series of roster moves late Friday.   CB Aqib Talib was activated from the  roster exemption he was serving after being traded to New England by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  WR Greg Salas was signed to the active roster from the team's practice squad.  To make room, the team released WR Deion Branch and DB Malcolm Williams.  WR Jarred Fayson, a member of the practice squad,  was also released


   Talib was the Buccaneers first round draft pick (20th overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft.  The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Kansas product appeared in four games for Tampa Bay in 2012 prior to being suspended by the league.  He was traded to New England on Nov. 1, 2012.  He has recorded 20 tackles, one interception and 7 passes defeded..

   Salas was also acquired by New England via a trade. The St. Louis Rams sent Salas to New England Sept. 1, 2012 for an undisclosed  draft pick. He was originally drafted by St. Louis in the fourth round (112th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft.  The 6-foot-1, 209-pound out of Hawaii product was was released on Sept. 19 and signed to the practice squad on Sept. 20.

   Branch was Selected by the Patrionts in the second round (65th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft. The 5-fot-9, 195-pound Louisville product was traded to the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 11, 2006 and then reacquired through a trade with Seattle on Oct. 12, 2010. He has appeared in in 137 games (110 starts) over his career.  He has recorded 511 receptions for 6,579 yards and 39 touchdowns. 

   Williams was originally drafted by New England in the seventh round (219th overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound TCU product wa released following training camp but was re-signed to the New England practice squad on Sept. 1, 2012. New England signed him to the 53-man roster from the practice squad on Oct. 27, 2012 .

   Fayson signed as an undrafted rookie with the  New Orleans Saints in 2011. The 6-foot, 213-pound Illinois product was released by the Saints following training camp. He also spent time with the Colts. Fayson was signed to the Patriots practice squad on Nov. 1, 2012.

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