FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots defensive tackle Alan Branch, who suffered a knee injury in Monday's loss to the Miami Dolphins, was not spotted at the start of Wednesday's walkthrough, which seems to be an indication that the injury has a significant chance of keeping him out of Sunday's road game against the Steelers.

Furthermore, the team's re-signing of veteran defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois on Wednesday seems to strengthen the odds the Patriots will be without Branch, who has played 31.5 percent of the defensive snaps this season. The 6-foot-6, 350-pound Branch has been third on the depth chart alongside Malcom Brown and Lawrence Guy, but when the team plays more of a 3-4 scheme, all three players have been on the field together.

Branch suffered the injury in the first half of Monday's game, retreating to the locker room for further evaluation before returning to action briefly. While Branch made a tackle upon his return to the field, he ultimately walked off under his own power and walked to the locker room again.

Elsewhere at the walkthrough, wide receiver Kenny Britt took part in his first practice with the team, while quarterback Tom Brady loosened up as well. Brady has missed Wednesday practices in each of the last few weeks for extra treatment.

Linebacker Kyle Van Noy (calf) was present but didn't seem to be an active participant.