Pats Ink OL Kline To Extension, Make Practice Squad Moves

The New England Patriots signed offensive lineman Josh Kline to a two year extension and added extra line depth to the practice squad, today.

According to reports, Kline, who has started all eight games this year and has remained one of the only healthy linemen the team has, was rewarded for his strong play through the first half of the season with the contract extension.

The third-year guard was originally signed by New England as a rookie free agent prior to the 2013 season and is currently in the final year of his rookie contract.

The extension will keep him along the interior of the Patriot line for the next two seasons and pay him handsomely for his services. As part of the deal, Kline will make a base salary of $3.3 million, which could inflate to $4.9 million through incentives.

The team also took measures today to add offensive line depth to the practice squad, signing two linemen to the unit. Second-year player Keavon Milton and rookie Torrian Wilson were both added to the practice unit, as the team's depth at the tackle position has been tested over the past few weeks.

Second-year center Bryan Stork, who was playing in his first game of the season after dealing with concussion issues earlier in the year, was forced into action at right tackle midway through last week, after starting tackle Sebastian Vollmer was forced from the game with a head injury. Both Milton and Wilson have experience at the tackle position and could potentially be added to the active roster this week, if Vollmer doesn't pass the league's concussion protocol.

To make room for Wilson and Milton the team was forced to cut wide receiver Austin Hill and safety Floyd Raven Sr. The Patriots now have four linemen on the 10-man practice squad.