FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots claimed second-year nose tackle Darius Kilgo on waivers from the Denver Broncos on Monday, which provides insurance as starter Alan Branch faces a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.
Branch's status remains uncertain as he is appealing the suspension, but the 6-foot-3, 319-pound Kilgo adds another layer on the depth chart at the position.
Kilgo entered the NFL as a 2015 sixth-round draft choice out of Maryland, and has appeared in 18 games with the club and has totaled seven tackles.