Wednesday 28 February 2018 08:27, UK
The Detroit Lions have placed their franchise tag on defensive end Ezekiel Ansah.
Ansah is set to earn $17.5m during the 2018 season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, once he signs his one-year tender with the Lions.
The 28-year-old has been with the franchise for his entire NFL career, having been drafted by Detroit with the fifth overall pick of the 2013 draft.
He bounced back from a below-par 2016 last season with 12 sacks and 44 tackles, and he finished the year strongly with back-to-back three-sack games.
Ansah will be working with head coach Matt Patricia for the first time in 2018, with the former New England Patriots defensive coordinator having taken over from Jim Caldwell.
He could still sign a long-term deal with the Lions before the season, and Ansah joins Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry as the only player to be franchise-tagged so far during the off-season.
Detroit finished last season 9-7 but missed out on the playoffs.
