New England Patriots wide receiver and special teams ace Matthew Slater announced on Tuesday that he is officially retiring from professional football. Slater holds the record for most special teams Pro Bowl appearances with 10. "I have given all that I possibly can to respect and honor the game," Slater wrote. "Though it is time for my relationship with the game to evolve, the love I have for it will last a lifetime." The former fifth-round pick by the Patriots in 2008 out of UCLA spent his entire 16-year career in New England and won three Super Bowls with the team and is the franchise's all-time leader in special teams tackles. Slater played in 239 games with the Patriots, second in team history behind only Tom Brady (285). Slater's 25 career postseason games rank ninth-most in NFL history. The 38-year-old was a team captain for 13 straight seasons.
Feb 20, 2024 12:01 PM EST
New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater (hamstring) was limited in practice on Wednesday ahead of his team's Week 17 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Slater missed New England's Week 16 matchup against the Denver Broncos with a hamstring injury but his ability to get back on the practice field on a limited basis on Wednesday is a positive sign for the special teams ace. Slater will hope to get upgraded to a full session by Friday.
Dec 27, 2023 9:11 PM EST
New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) was a limited participant during practice on Wednesday. The 27-year-old missed last Sunday's game but exploded one week earlier in Week 14 with four catches for 90 yards. It appears that he has a respectable rapport with current starting quarterback Bailey Zappe, though it's tough to trust him with Demario Douglas, DeVante Parker, and Hunter Henry all healthy. Special teamer Matthew Slater (hamstring) was also limited, putting his Week 16 status up in the air.
Dec 20, 2023 9:28 PM EST
Slater signed one-year, $2.62 million deal with the Patriots on Monday, Jim McBride of The Boston Globe reports.
Mar 14, 2022 2:38 PM EST
Slater (knee) is active for Sunday's contest against the Seahawks.
Sep 20, 2020 4:15 PM EST
Slater (knee) is considered questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.
Sep 19, 2020 8:27 AM EST
Slater and the Patriots have agreed on a two-year contract extension, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Mar 13, 2020 7:47 PM EST
Slater (hamstring) is officially active for Sunday's game against Dallas.
Nov 24, 2019 12:08 PM EST
Slater has a hamstring injury and is questionable for Sunday's game versus Dallas.
Nov 22, 2019 2:11 PM EST
Slater logged 11 special-teams tackles in 2018.
Dec 31, 2018 1:41 PM EST
Slater (illness) is active for Sunday's matchup with the Titans.
Nov 11, 2018 8:57 AM EST
Slater is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans with an illness.
Nov 11, 2018 5:51 AM EST
Slater (undisclosed) isn't expected to play in Thursday's preseason game against the Eagles, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Aug 16, 2018 8:40 AM EST
Slater (undisclosed) has passed his physical, per NFL Communications, and has been activated from the PUP list, Doug Kyed of NESN.com reports.
Aug 8, 2018 5:12 PM EST