BOSTON — Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was unhurt in a two-vehicle accident near his home Thursday morning before practicing as usual with his team ahead of the season opener and agreeing to a four-year contract extension that would make him the NFL’s highest-paid player.
The extension begins in 2011 at an average of $18 million per year with a total of $48.5 million guaranteed. The average value of the new deal surpasses that of Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who agreed this year to a six-year, $97.5 million ($16.25 million average) extension starting next season.
The crash, at an intersection in Boston’s Back Bay area, knocked over a light pole and sent a passenger in the minivan that collided with Brady’s car to a hospital with injuries that were serious but not considered life-threatening, a police report said.
The 21-year-old driver of the Mercury Villager minivan, Ludgero Rodrigues, was cited for failing to stop at a red light, based on witnesses statements, police said. Two other people in the minivan were able to exit and had no visible injuries, they said.
Cowboys’ Austin receives extension
IRVING, Texas — The Cowboys and receiver Miles Austin, who had 81 receptions for 1,320 yards last season, agreed to a six-year extension through the 2016 season.
“It feels great to be wanted by this team because I want to be here,” Austin said.
Meanwhile, Cowboys starting offensive linemen Marc Colombo and Kyle Kosier missed practice because of knee injuries, making it unlikely they will play in Sunday night’s game at Washington.
Footnotes.
The Packers signed cornerback Charles Woodson to a contract extension that runs through the 2014 season and is worth as much as $55 million.
• Cardinals second-year running back Beanie Wells sat out practice again with a sore right knee and is questionable for Sunday’s game at St. Louis.
• Titans coach Jeff Fisher said Will Witherspoon’s mother died unexpectedly and that the starting linebacker has been excused from practice this week. Fisher said the Titans are leaving it up to Witherspoon when to return to the team, though the veteran told the coach he plans to be back for Sunday’s opener against Oakland.
The Associated Press
