Buffalo Bills re-sign K Dan Carpenter to 4-year contract

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – The Buffalo Bills have re-signed kicker Dan Carpenter to a four-year contract.

The deal was reached shortly after the NFL's free agency period opened Tuesday, and after Carpenter arrived at the team's headquarters after traveling from his home in Florida. Under NFL rules, Carpenter was not allowed to re-sign with Buffalo before free agency began because he had signed a one-year deal at the league veteran minimum.

Carpenter's 33 field goals last year were a career high and tied Buffalo's single-season record. Buffalo scrambled to sign Carpenter six days before the start of last season, after rookie sixth-round draft pick Dustin Hopkins hurt his groin.

The sixth-year player hit 33 of 36 attempts, including 29 of 30 from inside 50 yards last season.

Carpenter's return leaves Hopkins' future uncertain.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org