The Dallas Cowboys waived defensive tackle Gerald McCoy on Tuesday, a day after he ruptured his right quadriceps tendon during the first padded practice of training camp and was declared out for 2020.
He underwent surgery to repair the tendon on Tuesday morning.
The Cowboys signed the veteran to a three-year, $18 million contract in free agency on March 31.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter said McCoy’s contract included an injury waiver on his quad that meant if he injured it, he could be cut. Schefter said the 32-year-old McCoy will keep his $3 million signing bonus but that the Cowboys won’t need to pay any more of the contract.
Cutting McCoy will save the Cowboys about $3.25 million of salary cap money.
The Cowboys are expected to consider signing McCoy again next year after his recovery.
A six-time Pro Bowl selection during his nine seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2010-18), McCoy registered 37 tackles, 13 quarterback hits and five sacks in 16 starts with the Carolina Panthers in 2019.
Through 139 career games (all starts), the No. 3 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft has posted 292 tackles, 59.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. He made the All-Pro first team in 2013.