Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano has insisted that the signing of former New England Patriots receiver Deion Branch before their playoff clash is a "coincidence".
The Colts face the Patriots in the divisional round on Saturday and due to an injury to receiver Darius Heyward-Bey, they took the decision to add the 34-year-old to their 53-man roster on Monday.
"We figured the questions were going to come up that we were signing this guy who spent some time in New England," Pagano told reporters. "Is it just a coincidence or do you need the guy to help you win a football game and help your team?
"Every decision we make is based on what's best for this team and what gives us the best chance to win, and we think we have one heck of a football player."
Branch played for the Patriots from 2002 to 2006 and then from 2010 to 2012 in his two spells with the club.
