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The Washington Redskins announced on Monday afternoon they have placed the franchise tag on impending free agent linebacker Brian Orakpo. The two sides were reportedly working on a deal, but obviously the Redskins didn't think they could get one done before the 4 p.m. franchise tag deadline.
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Orakpo finished the 2013 season with 10 sacks, bouncing back from a 2012 season he essentially missed all of due to a torn pectoral muscle. Since he was drafted by the Redskins in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, he's gone on to rack up 39.5 sacks in his first five seasons in the league, which is impressive considering he missed 14 games in 2012.
While it's unlikely the Jacksonville Jaguars would have been aggressive after a player like Orakpo, it does remove one of the bigger free agent pass rushers off the market, especially since the Carolina Panthers have decided to franchise tag Greg Hardy.