FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — NFL Players Association records show New England special teams captain Matthew Slater signed a two-year contract extension.

Slater called the extension “humbling” Wednesday but declined to go into details. The Patriots don’t announce contract extensions.

The total value of the deal is $4 million.

Slater said he’d rather talk about his team’s game Sunday against Green Bay.

“I’m just so thankful for what the Lord has done in my life and my career, developing me here as a player and as a man; and I’m thankful for an opportunity to continue that development,” Slater said. “And I’m thankful to the coaching staff, Coach (Bill) Belichick and this organization for believing in me and appreciating a player like me, and guys like myself across this team.”

Slater, a 29-year-old wide receiver, has been to the last three Pro Bowls. He’s played offense and defense but he’s known for his special teams play.

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“It’s huge. Slate jumps off the screen,” said safety Devin McCourty. “I don’t care what unit you watch – whether he’s being triple teamed on kickoffs and still able to get to the ball, he just jumps off the screen every time he’s on the field. It’s a credit to the work he’s put in.”

McCourty said it wasn’t always like that for Slater.

“It was a steady progress where he just kept working and having him around here is great because he’s a role model – for everybody on the team – of working hard and becoming great at your craft,” he said.

Belichick said Slater works well with younger players as well as his peers.

“He’s very well respected in the locker room, not just by the players, but I’d say by the entire organization, just by the way he goes about his job, how committed he is to the team, how dependable he is, his work ethic, his attitude, his toughness,” he said. “He’s really pretty much a model player. I’d love to have 53 guys like him.”

Times have certainly changed for special teamers, and the Patriots have had two of the best in Slater and Larry Izzo.

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“I think that phase of the game has always played a role in teams being successful and I think here we have a coaching staff and people that understand that and appreciate that,” Slater said. “I think that’s part of the reason why we’ve had success over the years.”

 The Patriots added tight end Xavier Gamble and long snapper Charley Hughlett to the practice squad, releasing linebacker Deontae Skinner and defensive back Daxton Swanson.

RAMS: Defensive end Chris Long anticipates playing for the first time since the opener when the team meets Oakland on Sunday.

Long, who underwent left ankle surgery, hadn’t missed a game in six NFL seasons. He’s increased his practice participation since the Rams started the 21-day window to activate him from injured reserve-designated for return.

TEXANS: Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said he’ll start Sunday against Tennessee with Ryan Mallett out for the season.

Without disclosing the injury, the Texans placed Mallett on injured reserve, ending his season.

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BROWNS: Wide receiver Josh Gordon said the lowest point during his 10-game suspension was that he was treated differently by friends and teammates.

Gordon returned last week after serving his suspension for substance abuse.

WASHINGTON: Coach Jay Gruden said he’s starting Colt McCoy over Robert Griffin III as quarterback Sunday against Indianapolis.

 Washington placed cornerback Tracy Porter on season-ending injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

BILLS: Buffalo claimed receiver Marcus Thigpen after he was cut by Tampa Bay.

COLTS: The team claimed outside linebacker Shaun Phillips off waivers from Tennessee.

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JETS: Geno Smith will get the start at quarterback over Michael Vick for the Monday night game against Miami.

 Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson and tight end Jace Amaro could both miss the Monday night game against Miami because of injuries suffered in a 38-3 loss to Buffalo last Monday night.

LIONS: Center Dominic Raiola was fined $10,000 by the NFL for unnecessary roughness for a striking an opponent Sunday at New England.

BENGALS: Defensive tackle Devon Still said his former girlfriend’s comments about a failure to pay child support are “untruthful” and he’s letting the dispute play out in court.


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