Colts sign ex-Patriot Branch for playoff run

The Indianapolis Colts are getting some help from a former New England Patriot. Six days before the two rivals meet in a divisional-round game, the Colts signed Deion Branch, the former Patriots receiver and Super Bowl MVP.

Indianapolis coach Chuck Pagano pointed out that Branch lives in nearby Carmel, works out at one of the city’s top training facilities and fills a need after Darrius Heyward-Bey injured a hamstring Saturday in the Colts’ 45-44 comeback victory over Kansas City. But Branch also brings something else to the locker room - deep knowledge of Bill Belichick’s playbook.

What Indy gets is a 34-year-old veteran with two Super Bowl rings, who was the Super Bowl MVP in New England’s third title run. He also worked with backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck when the two were teammates in Seattle.

The 5-foot-9, 195-pound Branch has 518 receptions for 6,644 yards and 39 touchdowns in 140 regular-season games, most of those with Tom Brady and the Patriots.