FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Veteran defensive tackle Alan Branch, who spent the majority of the season as the New England Patriots' No. 3 option in a three-man rotation, headlines the team's inactive players for the AFC Championship Game.

Branch, who hasn't played since injuring his knee in a Dec. 11 game against the Miami Dolphins, said leading up to last week's divisional-round playoff game that he feels healthy enough to play. But veteran Ricky Jean Francois got the nod over him, and played well in the playoff win over the Tennessee Titans.

Branch played 25.7 percent of the defensive snaps in the regular season, working behind starters Malcom Brown and Lawrence Guy.

In addition to Branch, the Patriots' other inactive players are tight end Jacob Hollister, offensive tackle LaAdrian Waddle, wide receiver Kenny Britt, punt returner Bernard Reedy, linebacker David Harris and running back Mike Gillislee.

Hollister, an undrafted free agent from Wyoming, had played in every game since being inactive for the season opener. He had carved out a core role on special teams.

Also, with Waddle out, Cameron Fleming projects to get the start at right tackle.