Raiders S Tyvon Branch signs franchise tender

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) - Safety Tyvon Branch has signed his $6.2 million dollar franchise tag tender and reported to workouts with the Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders placed the tag on Branch on March 1. He decided to sign it Monday and joined the team for the offseason program.

The two sides are still hoping to reach a long-term deal that would give the Raiders more salary cap room and Branch more stability.

Branch was a fourth-round pick out of Connecticut in 2008. He has started every game the past three seasons and led the Raiders in tackles the past two years.

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