Patriots' Matthew Slater: Ends storied special-teams career
Rotowire
Slater announced Tuesday that he has retired from professional football.
Slater, 38, is calling it a career after 16 seasons in the NFL, all of which were spent with New England as a core contributor on the Patriots' special-teams units. The 2008 fifth-round pick retires with three Super Bowl rings, five first-team All-Pro nods, and 10 Pro Bowl honors under his belt. Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick recently referred to Slater as the best special-teams player in NFL history, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, saying he was glad to have coached the greatest players in all three phases of the game, the others being Tom Brady on offense and Lawrence Taylor on defense.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Will play Week 17
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Slater (hamstring) is available for Sunday's tilt against the Bills.
Slater is returning from a one-game absence due to a hamstring issue. Look for him to take on his usual responsibilities as the Patriots' special teams anchor, assuming he avoids any setbacks.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Won't play versus Denver
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Slater (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday night's game against the Broncos.
It marks the first time since 2017 that the Patriots' key special-teamer has missed a game. The team elevated Breon Borders to the active roster, who could fill in for Slater in Sunday's contest.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Suiting up Sunday
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Slater (knee) is active for Sunday's contest against the Seahawks.
Slater battled a knee injury leading up to Sunday's matchup, but he's managed to get healthy in time to suit up. The veteran wideout will handle his usual role as a special-teams ace.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Listed as questionable
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Slater (knee) is considered questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.
Slater has primarily been a special teams ace since being drafted by the Patriots in 2008. It is looking like his status for Sunday's game will not be determined until he can test out his knee during pregame warmups.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Signs two-year extension
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Slater and the Patriots have agreed on a two-year contract extension, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Slater has been with the Patriots since he was drafted in 2008. He is widely considered one of the best special teams players in the league, so this move certainly makes sense for New England.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Ready to rock
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Slater (hamstring) is officially active for Sunday's game against Dallas.
Slater popped up on the injury report for Friday's practice session, but as evidenced by this news, it was nothing more than a precaution. Now that the 34-year-old is officially healthy, he's expected to be deployed in his usual depth receiver role while operating on special teams.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Nursing hamstring injury
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Slater has a hamstring injury and is questionable for Sunday's game versus Dallas.
Slater didn't appear on the injury report until Friday as a limited practice participant. The 34-year-old's absence would be felt on special teams should he end up inactive.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Records 11 tackles in 2018
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Slater logged 11 special teams tackles in 2018.
Though listed as a wide receiver, the 33-year-old hasn't caught a pass since the 2011 campaign. Slater earns his keep as a core special teamer, a role he's slated to reprise next season, given that he's signed through 2019.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Late addition to injury report
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Slater is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans with an illness.
Slater likely fell ill at some point Saturday or early Sunday, as he wasn't included on New England's injury report throughout the week. The late addition isn't the most encouraging sign for his availability, but the Patriots will see how he progresses in the next few hours before determining his status for the 1 p.m. EST kickoff. Though listed as a receiver on the roster, Slater rarely sees snaps on offense and instead makes his biggest impact on the Patriots' special-teams units.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: In line to return from PUP list
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Slater was spotted at Thursday's practice in a uniform and pads, suggesting his activation from the PUP list is imminent, Doug Kyed of NESN.com reports.
Slater began camp relegated to the sidelines with an undisclosed injury, but that shouldn't greatly affect his role given that he's been in the same organization his entire career. He hasn't caught a pass since the 2011 campaign, but played 125 snaps on special teams over nine games in 2017 before signing a two-year extension this offseason.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Placed on PUP list
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Slater was placed on the Patriots' Physically Unable to Perform list Wednesday due to an undisclosed injury, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
The special teams ace will have a delayed start to his preparations for the 2018 season as he recovers from the injury. Slater signed a two-year extension with the Patriots this offseason and has spent his entire career in New England.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Re-signs for two more seasons
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Slater has signed a two-year deal to remain with the Patriots, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
The 32-year-old rarely contributes on offense, but the 2008 fifth-rounder has been a mainstay on special teams for the Patriots since then, and that's a role Slater will reprise in 2018.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Will play Week 14
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Slater (hamstring) is officially active for Monday night's game against the Dolphins.
Slater returns after a three-week absence from the hamstring injury he sustained against the Broncos in Week 10. The 32-year-old should resume his role as a special teams ace in Monday's contest.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Questionable for Week 14
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Slater (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Dolphins, Doug Kyed of NESN.com reports.
Slater was a limited participant in practice this week to earn the questionable designation. The 31-year-old has missed three consecutive games but will hope to return to his role as special teams ace for the Patriots against the Dolphins.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Limited Thursday
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Slater (hamstring) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice.
Slater has kicked off Week 14 preparations with a pair of limited practices, but he may need to put in a full session Friday in order to avoid an injury tag heading into Monday's game against the Dolphins. If active Monday, Slater, who has missed the team's last three contests, would see the majority of his snaps on special teams.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Sidelined Week 13
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Slater (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's tilt against Miami.
Slater was limited in practice for the second week in a row and will miss his third straight contest. Slater's absence shouldn't have much impact on the offense.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Inactive Sunday
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Slater (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's matchup with the Dolphins.
Slater was limited in practice throughout the week and was considered a toss up heading into Sunday. His absence shouldn't impact the offense greatly, as Slater plays mainly special teams.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Status uncertain Sunday
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The Patriots have deemed Slater (hamstring) as questionable for their matchup versus the Dolphins on Sunday.
Slater was limited in practice all week and is trending toward a true game-time decision Sunday. The veteran missed last week's game versus the Raiders. His presence is mainly felt on special teams, so the Patriots' offense is not expected to be affected should he remain sidelined.
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Patriots' Matthew Slater: Ruled out Sunday
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Slater (hamstring) was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raiders.
Slater was unable to practice this week after sustaining the hamstring injury in the Patriots' Week 10 win over the Broncos. The 32-year-old is a valued presence on special teams, but with just one NFL reception to his name over 137 career regular-season contests, his absence won't mean much for fantasy purposes.
