Branch suffered an MCL sprain and will likely miss significant time.

Branch wasn't going to generate enough stats to become an IDP of significance, but losing a starting defensive end is a blow to a defense expected to take a step forward this season.

Branch left Friday's game with a left knee injury and will not return.

The injury was suffered in the first quarter of Friday's preseason game and the severity is unclear. His status should be updated prior to Thursday's game in Washington.

Branch (groin) won't play Sunday against the Texans.

Branch returned to action last Sunday against the Ginats, but after recording just one tackle in that contest, he re-injured a groin injury that had forced him to miss four games.

Branch (groin) is on track to play Sunday against the Giants, the Florida Times-Union reports.

Prior to being sidelined by a groin injury, Branch recorded three sacks, two forced fumbles and 13 tackles in seven games for the Jags, so once he re-proves his health, the DE could re-enter the IDP equation in deeper formats.

Branch will be out six weeks with torn groin muscle, the Florida Times-Union reports.

Branch has recorded three sacks, two forced fumbles and 13 tackles in seven games for the Jags to date, so he's only an option in deeper IDP formats, but his absence represents an unwelcome hit to the team's defensive end depth.

Coach Gus Bradley singled out DE Andre Branch as one of the three players who is really standing out in offseason workouts.

The other two are Chad Henne and Cecil Shorts. "He's busting his hump harder than anybody," DL coach Todd Wash added. "We're real pleased with the maturity that he's gone through over the last year. We think he's going to be an excellent pass rusher." Branch was reportedly on the trade block last summer. The light came on as a sophomore. Branch had five sacks in the final six games. He's the favorite for LEO duties, over Chris Clemons and Jason Babin.

The Florida Times Union believes Jaguars DE Andre Branch could be back on the trade block again this summer.

The Jaguars dangled Branch in training camp last year but found no takers. Now that he's coming off a six-sack sophomore campaign, Branch might be able to fetch a draft pick. However, we're not sure the addition of Chris Clemons and re-signing of Jason Babin makes Branch expendable. Both Clemons and Babin are well into their thirties. Branch won't turn 25 until July.

The Florida Times Union reports second-year DE Andre Branch is squarely on the roster bubble.

Branch, last year's No. 38 overall pick, has been running exclusively with the second-team defense in training camp, and his "lack of consistency" has landed him on the bubble. He played just eight snaps in last week's preseason game, and is competing for playing time with Ryan Davis. Branch registered just one sack in 13 games as a rookie, and he might be trade bait these next two weeks.

Jaguars 2012 second-round pick Andre Branch is working as the backup "Leo" to Jason Babin at OTAs.

"Leo" is the primary pass-rushing position in new coach Gus Bradley's defense. It's a weak-side edge rusher who can play in either a two- or three-point stance. Branch was a colossal bust as a rookie, managing one sack across 13 games.

Jaguars DE Andre Branch re-injured his groin at minicamp this week.

Branch's 2012 rookie season was cut short by three games due to a groin injury, and he underwent surgery for the issue in January. It's unclear how severe the "new" injury is, but there has been no indication that it's serious. Branch registered 12 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble last year, and he is expected to get looks at the "Leo" pass rush position under coach Gus Bradley.

Jaguars second-year DE Andre Branch is expected to get an opportunity to be the team's "Leo" pass rusher.

Jason Babin is considered the leading in-house candidate, but coach Gus Bradley says it would be "awesome" if Jacksonville could have two. "That's the style we're looking at," said Bradley. "Branch has some qualities. We looked at him last year in the draft as a Leo." New GM Dave Caldwell has already came out and said he's high on last year's second-round pick.

Jaguars GM David Caldwell says he is high on second-year DE Andre Branch and believes Branch will develop as hoped under new DL coach Todd Wash.

Branch flamed out as a rookie starter after being the 38th pick in the draft, getting demoted in mid-October and finishing the year on injured reserve. He is currently recovering from groin surgery. Caldwell was high on Branch coming out of Clemson and will give him every opportunity to earn a prominent role.

Jaguars DE Andre Branch tweeted that he's having surgery Thursday.

Jaguars placed DE Andre Branch (groin) and RB Jordan Todman (calf) on season-ending injured reserve.

The injuries were apparently sustained in Week 15. The No. 38 overall pick in the 2012 draft, Branch was a major disappointment as a pass rusher in his rookie season. He was demoted out of the starting lineup in mid-October, recording just one sack and 12 tackles in 13 games. Expect Branch to compete for a starting job next summer.

The Jaguars have demoted DE Andre Branch out of the starting lineup.

Branch, a second-round rookie out of Clemson, had six tackles and no sacks in the first five weeks. He'll now play behind Austen Lane, a former fifth-round pick that has two sacks in 19 career games. The 1-4 Jags are grasping at straws as they come out of the bye.

Second-round pick Andre Branch has earned a starting job and will become the first rookie defensive end to start on Opening Day in Jaguars history.

Branch started all four preseason games and registered 1.5 sacks to go with five tackles and a forced fumble. He'll be Jeremy Mincey's book end at left defensive end, rushing from Austen Lane and Aaron Kampman's old position.

Second-round DE Andre Branch has begun picking up snaps with the Jaguars first-team defense.

Austen Lane saw the majority of the first-team reps opposite Jeremy Mincey prior to this week's minicamp. Branch is fully expected to play in nickel packages as a rookie. If he improves as a run defender this summer, he could displace Lane on early downs as well.

The NFL has reportedly disapproved the contract between the Jaguars and No. 38 pick DE Andre Branch.

The reason for the league's disapproval is undisclosed. Branch agreed to a four-year, $5.089 million contract, with a $2.14M signing bonus. It's worth noting that the NFL voided the rookie contracts for Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts and DB Chris Prosinksi last season, as well. Branch's deal is expected to be restructured in accordance to league rules.