Colts extend Robert Mathis' contract through 2016

The Indianapolis Colts have extended the contract of outside linebacker Robert Mathis through the 2016 season, the team announced.

No details of the extension were provided.

Mathis was eligible to return to the Colts on Monday following a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy. He will miss the rest of the season, however, due to an Achilles injury suffered while working out on his own during the suspension and on Monday was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list.

Mathis was scheduled to make $3 million in base salary this season and $4 million in base salary for 2015 -- the final year of the original 4-year, $36 million contract he signed in 2012. The team is not required to pay him while on the NFI list (because the injury did not occur under team supervision), but will do so.

Mathis led the NFL in sacks in 2013 with 19.5, the most of his 12-year career. He will be 35 during the 2016 season.

Colts coach Chuck Pagano said Mathis will help coach his teammates.

"He's got to earn his check somehow," he said Monday. "Just like Reggie (Wayne following knee surgery last year). Reggie got enough time off to have surgery and mend up for a little bit and then he got back out here and 'assistant coach.' So that's what (Mathis') title is now. Great teammate, assistant coach, locker room patrol, he's got all kinds of assignments. I've got a whistle for him in my office ready to roll.

"It was great walking in the team meeting today. He always sits in the same seat he's sat in forever, he's in the upper right hand corner seat. I looked up there and saw his face and saw him sitting there, had to take a double take. It was awesome, awesome to have him back. It's great to have Rob back in the building. Again, his presence alone brings a ton of energy and excitement and enthusiasm to everybody."

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The Colts also signed free agent corner Jalil Brown to the active roster and signed receiver Chandler Jones and linebacker Rob Ruggiero to the practice squad.

Brown, 6-1, 207, had played 34 games (two starts) with 24 tackles, two passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery with the Colts (5 games, 2013) and Kansas City. The Chiefs selected him in the fourth round of the 2011 draft out of Colorado.

Jones, 5-9, 185 pounds, was originally signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent earlier this year out of San Jose State. Ruggiero, 6-2, 245, was originally signed by the Colts as a free agent earlier this year out of Bridgewater State.