Report: Cowboys could reach deal with Dez Bryant by Thursday night

The Dallas Cowboys appear to have made significant headway on a new contract with wide receiver Dez Bryant.

According to NFL Media's Mike Silver, negotiations between the two sides have "intensified" and there is reason to believe a deal will be struck before the start of Thursday's preseason finale against the Denver Broncos.

Silver's colleague, Ian Rapoport, reported earlier Tuesday that it was "up in the air" whether a deal would get done before the start of the season.

Bryant has made it clear he wants to remain with the Cowboys long-term, and executive vice president Stephen Jones recently said the organization is committed to making him "a Cowboy for life."

The 25-year-old was believed to be looking for a deal similar to that of Mike Wallace and Percy Harvin at around $12 million per year.