Cowboys release former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jay Ratliff
The Cowboys released four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jay Ratliff. (Getty Images)
The Cowboys were facing a deadline regarding Jay Ratliff's future with the team. On Wednesday, the team terminated his contract, placing him on the failed physical list.
The four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle was scheduled to come off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list this week. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and team executives provided conflicting signals regarding Ratliff, who signed a five-year extension that totaled out to $48.6 million in 2011.
Most of Ratliff's $10.268 million salary cap charge will roll over into next year, but the Cowboys will not be responsible for the remainder of his $1.34 million base salary.
The eight-year veteran's absence from team facilities during his rehab led to reports of tension between him and the Cowboys. NBC sideline reporter Michele Tafoya reported Sunday night:
“My interpretation based on Jerry Jones’ body language and his tone is that Jay Ratliff will not be playing for the Cowboys anymore.”
“I’m not familiar with that report,” Jerry Jones said after the game.
Jones said Tuesday that Ratliff may not play this season for the Cowboys, but his future in Dallas might not be over.
From The Dallas Morning News:
“When you say, ‘done in Dallas,’ I don’t know about done in Dallas, when you look at the rest of Jay’s career,” the Cowboys owner explained on KRLD-FM (105.3). “But certainly from the standpoint of this year. We’ve got a situation that’s not positive as to him getting out on the field. We’re going to see as we go through this week what we’re going to do technically.”
