The Dallas Cowboys have placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Dez Bryant, keeping him under contract for the 2015 season.
The 26-year-old was due to hit the free-agent market next week after he and the club failed to come to a long-term agreement on a new contract.
Vice-president Stephen Jones confirmed that the Cowboys were ready to use the tag to keep Bryant under contract for the 2015 campaign, and have done so before today's deadline, keeping him at the club for another season at the price of $12.8m (£8.1m).
Bryant recorded 88 receptions for 1,320 yards and 16 touchdowns in the 2014 season.
