Report: Ansah, Lawrence unlikely to get extensions before tag deadline

Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah and Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence are unlikely to sign extensions before Monday's franchise tag deadline, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Both star pass-rushers were tagged for the first time in March and will play the 2018 season under the $17.143-million tag.

Lawrence and the Cowboys have been in a contract standoff since he signed the tender earlier this offseason. Dallas is looking to save cap space with quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott due for extensions. Lawrence was one of the NFL's top pass-rushers in 2017, accumulating 14.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Ansah has been the Lions' top defensive end since he was drafted in the first round in 2013. The veteran notched 12 sacks last season in his fifth campaign with Detroit.

The duo will share the distinction of being the second-highest-paid defensive ends in 2018, with only Calais Campbell of the Jacksonville Jaguars ($17.5 million) accounting for a higher cap hit at the position.

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