New England Patriots signed undrafted rookie safety Sergio Brown off the practice squad on Saturday to replace Jarrad Page, a veteran who was ruled out for the game with a calf injury.

In his first NFL action, the former University of Notre Dame standout recorded four tackles, including one on San Diego Chargers perennial Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates two yards short of a first down on a 3rd-and-10 play with less than 30 seconds remaining in a 23-20 game. Chargers kicker Kris Brown missed the game-tying field goal, and the Patriots were a kneel-down away from a win.

Brown's big-time play matched the big-time contract the Patriots signed him to the day before, as Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald reports that Brown received a four-year, $1.8 million contract that included a $35,000 signing bonus.

The final year of the contract includes the same base salary escalators Brown would have received as a mid-to-late round draft choice.

Practice squad players typically receive short-term deals when they're signed to the active roster during the season, but Brown and St. Louis Rams rookie wide receiver Danario Alexander have been exceptions to that rule this season.

Alexander signed a four-year, $1.8 million deal, as well, with a signing bonus of $35,553, the same the Rams paid to 254th overall pick Josh Hull, a linebacker from Penn State. Like Brown, Alexander made a big splash in his NFL debut, catching four passes for 72 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' 20-17 win over...the San Diego Chargers.