Cowboys Release Gerald McCoy

One day after rupturing his quad the Dallas Cowboys have released defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. McCoy, who signed a three year contract with $9 million in guarantees, had agreed to an injury waiver that covers quad tendonitis in his right leg.

Injury waivers are something players sometimes agree to in order to get an opportunity that they would not receive from a team when they have a chronic condition. When that chronic condition is the cause of injury the player loses the standard injury protection that is given to players as well as any guarantees negotiated into a contract. By terminating the contract now the Cowboys should relieve themselves of $6 million in salary guarantees, leaving McCoy just with the $3 million signing bonus he received when he signed the contract.

I would imagine that McCoy will file a grievance though the scope of the injury waiver is pretty broad. The team will gain $3.25 million in cap space this year with the release though I would not expect them to spend it right away if at all. If a grievance is filed for the full $6 million it will count for $2.4 million on the salary cap until it is resolved.