With Thursday’s 4 p.m. deadline looming, the Washington Redskins announced on Wednesday that they have extended running back Chris Thompson and inside linebacker Will Compton their restricted free agent tenders.

Both players can still negotiate with other teams, but Washington reserves the right to match any offers within seven days. If the Redskins do not match the deal they would receive compensation in the form of the draft pick tender that they placed on Thompson and/or Compton Wednesday. It wasn’t immediately known what tender the team placed on either player.

Coaches spoke highly of both players throughout the season, and both players departed for the offseason having received the impression that they would be retained. But the team hadn’t made a move or communicated with either as of Tuesday evening. But then came the announcement on Wednesday.

Thompson was considered one of the better third-down backs in the league last season when he averaged 5.2 yards per carry and 7.1 yards per catch and scored five touchdowns (three rushing, two receiving). Coaches also view him as a valuable leader of his position group.

Compton, meanwhile, was Washington’s second-leading tackler (128 in 2016) and served as the quarterback of the defense and was described by coaches and teammates as a coach on the field.