Detroit signs CB to 4-year contract

Cornerback Darius Slay took the field for Detroit’s first practice of training camp with his contract concerns in the past.

Slay signed a four-year extension with the Lions worth about $50 million, a deal that lasts through the 2020 season. Slay, 25, was heading into the fourth and final season of his rookie contract, and now Detroit doesn’t have to worry about losing him to free agency in 2017.

“I know the organization, they love me. I love them,” Slay said. “They gave me a great opportunity. I put a lot of good tape on film. I was very important to the team, and I’m glad to still be here.”

The Lions announced Slay’s extension Friday shortly before practice. His contract had been one of the team’s biggest unresolved issues in the offseason. Slay has become an important part of the Detroit secondary, and the Lions hope he’ll be valuable for years to come.

“Darius earned this extension, and we are happy to reward him accordingly,” general manager Bob Quinn said in a statement. “We also are pleased to have finalized this now so the team and Darius can focus on the start of training camp and preparation for the upcoming season.”

The other big bit of news from the Lions Friday was injury-related. Linebacker DeAndre Levy was put on the active non-football injury list. Neither Levy nor coach Jim Caldwell elaborated on what the problem was.

Slay has played in 45 games for the Lions, making 36 starts. He has 149 tackles (119 solo) in his career, with four interceptions and 35 passes defensed.

He said he became pretty emotional after the deal was done.

“I tried to hold my tears in, but I couldn’t too long, because of where I came from,” he said.

Cowboys

Damien Wilson can be added to the list of freak accidents in the offseason for Dallas after this second-year linebacker injured an eye in a paintball accident. Executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones said the incident happened about a week before Dallas reported for training camp in California.

Bills

Receiver Sammy Watkins won’t be ready for the start of training camp because of a surgically repaired left foot, though general manager Doug Whaley said all signs indicate the starter is on track to play in Buffalo’s season opener.

49ers

San Francisco signed defensive lineman B.J. McBryde to a two-year deal. The 6-foot-4, 292-pound McBryde originally signed with Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent in May 2015 and was waived in October.