Seahawks confirm severity of Branch injury

During his annual end of the season press conference, Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren spoke on a number of subjects and he confirmed that WR Deion Branch tore his ACL early in the Green Bay loss this past weekend.

Holmgren told the assembled media that Branch tore the anterior-cruciate ligament in his right leg. The injury was diagnosed by the Seahawks' doctors and was confirmed by the physician who will perform the the surgery to repair the knee, Dr. James Andrews.

2007 was a tough season for Branch as he missed five games due to a myriad of injuries during the regular season as well as Seattle's first round playoff game, a win over the Washington Redskins.

Branch finished the season with 49 receptions for 661 yards and four touchdowns.

Seattle acquired Branch from the New England Patriots at the beginning of the 2006 football season and in return sent a first round draft choice to the Patriots.

In his first season with the Seahawks, Branch played in 14 games and posted 53 receptions for 723 yards and four scores.

Holmgren estimated the recovery time to be nine months.