Jacksonville Jaguars

After slow start, Branch makes an impact for Jacksonville

Published Nov. 22, 2015 11:28 p.m. ET

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Jacksonville defensive end Andre Branch, who has had a quiet start to what both he and the team hoped would be a productive season, offered a glimpse of his potential in helping seal Thursday night's 19-13 win over the Tennessee Titans.

The four-year veteran was slated to start when No. 3 overall pick Dante Fowler was lost for the year after tearing his ACL in May. Instead, Branch was sidelined with a knee injury as well, missing the first three games of the season. He returned Week 4, but failed to make a major contribution to the Jacksonville defense, registering eight tackles, one sack and a forced fumble, while making three starts.

That changed against the Titans. Branch sacked Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota on the game's final play to help preserve the victory. 

"I flushed (Mariota) out and he stepped up still looking and he had to throw the ball and he was right there and I just made the sack,’’ Branch said, per the Florida Times-Union. “It felt good to close out a game and we got the W and that’s the most important thing.’’

Branch, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, played a season-high 56 snaps against the Titans.

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