BOSTON » New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has agreed to a four-year contract extension that would make him the NFL’s highest-paid player, according to two people familiar with the contract.

Earlier yesterday, Brady was unhurt in a two-vehicle accident near his home. He then went on to practice as usual.

The extension begins in 2011 at an average of $18 million per year with a total of $48.5 million guaranteed, one of those people said.

The average value of the new deal surpasses that of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who agreed this year to a six-year, $97.5 million ($16.25 million average) extension starting next year.

Brady is making $6.5 million this season in the final year of a six-year, $57.3 million contract.

The crash 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.

Packers extend Woodson

The Packers have signed cornerback Charles Woodson to a contract extension through the 2014 season, a deal that will likely allow him retire as a Packer.

Woodson, 33, signed a five-year contract that is worth as much as $55 million, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press.

Austin gets new deal

The Cowboys and receiver Miles Austin have agreed to a six-year extension through the 2016 season.

Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones would only confirm the length of the extension. A story posted on the Cowboys’ official team website said it was worth about $54 million.

Ex-Gov Lauvao twists ankle

Former Farrington player Shaun Lauvao has injured an ankle and his status for the Browns’ season opener at Tampa Bay is uncertain.

Coach Eric Mangini says the Browns guard "twisted" his ankle Wednesday. Mangini declined to provide specifics on the injury or how Lauvao got hurt.