FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The lone front-seven player the Patriots selected in the 2011 draft was Markell Carter of Central Arkansas, and it wasn't until the sixth round.

Carter has spent this season on the team's practice squad, and his work in practice last week was recognized by the team's coaching staff. Carter was named one of the team's practice players of the week, along with running back Shane Vereen and practice squad cornerback Malcolm Williams.

The practice player of the week honor is given to the players who best prepare the team in the week leading up a victory.

Carter has bulked up this year, taking advantage of a full season in the team's strength program. He was listed at 252 pounds coming out of college, and is now in the 265-pound range. Carter likely played the role of Eagles defensive ends Jason Babin (team-high 10 sacks) and Trent Cole in practice.

Previously, the Patriots boosted Carter's practice squad salary, to $149,000, from the minimum ($96,900).

The breakdown of practice players of the week:

Week 12
DE Markell Carter
RB Shane Vereen
CB Malcolm Williams

Week 11
LB/DE Jermaine Cunningham
QB Brian Hoyer
LB Mike Rivera

Week 10
OL Donald Thomas
CB Phillip Adams
LB Niko Koutouvides
RB Shane Vereen
TE Garrett Mills
DE Alex Silvestro
DE Markell Carter

Week 6
DE Markell Carter
OL Matt Kopa
CB Antwaun Molden
DE Alex Silvestro
OL Thomas Welch
C/G Ryan Wendell

Week 5
DE Markell Carter
QB Ryan Mallett
TE Garrett Mills
CB Antwaun Molden
OL Ryan Wendell

Week 4
DL Kyle Love
OT Matt Kopa
CB Antwaun Molden
RB Shane Vereen
CB Josh Victorian

Week 2
QB Brian Hoyer
OT Matt Kopa
TE Garrett Mills
CB Antwan Molden
LB Jeff Tarpinian

Week 1
WR Julian Edelman
LB A.J. Edds
OT Matt Kopa
S Ross Ventrone