The Detroit Lions worked out contract extensions with two defensive players before the end of the regular season, keeping linebacker Ashlee Palmer and safety Don Carey off the market. Palmer, a backup linebacker and one of the Lions’ best special-teams players, signed a two-year extension with base salaries of $1 million for 2013 and $1.25 million for 2014. He started two games, wins over the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars when DeAndre Levy was out with a pulled hamstring, led the Lions with 14 special-teams tackles and was named to Pro Football Focus’ all-pro team on special teams. Carey, who signed through 2013, started six of the last seven games at safety with Louis Delmas (knee) and Amari Spievey (concussion) bothered by injuries. He had two interceptions in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts, and should at least be a backup safety and special-teams contributor next year with both Delmas (unrestricted) and Spievey (restricted) headed for free agency. Source: Detroit Free Press
