The Detroit Lions are out two of their most important defenders with organized team activities in full swing. Cornerback Darius Slay and defensive tackle Damon Harrison are staying away from the team for the time being in hopes of securing new contracts, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

On Tuesday, Lions coach Matt Patricia downplayed the significance of both players being absent for the start of OTAs.

“Right now we are – it’s voluntary as that part of the season is concerned,” Patricia said, per the Free Press. “Those two guys are not here. You will not see them at the practice today, but we fully expect that this time of the year, guys that are here, guys that are not. That’s totally fine. We’re working with the guys that are out there.”

Slay, who's made the Pro Bowl each of the last two seasons, signed a four-year, $48 million extension in the summer of 2016 that suddenly leaves him underpaid after he's evolved into one of the league's best cover men. He was named First Team All-Pro in 2017 after leading the NFL with eight interceptions and 26 passes defensed, and last season Pro Football Focus named him 18th-best cornerback in the NFL.

Harrison, meanwhile, was acquired by Detroit in a trade with the New York Giants midway through 2018. He's set to make just over $15 million combined in the next two seasons, well below market value for a player who transformed the Lions' defense after his addition in late October. In 10 games with Detroit, Harrison had 5o tackles, five tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, and three and-a-half sacks, re-establishing himself as an elite interior defensive lineman.