Dallas Cowboys Defensive Tackle Waived After Suffering Season-Ending Injury

KEY POINTS

Gerald McCoy has been waived by the Dallas Cowboys following his season-ending quad injury
McCoy signed a three-year deal with the Cowboys in March
The injury waiver on the contract nullifies any amount to be earned by McCoy, save for his $3 million signing bonus

The Dallas Cowboys are waiving Gerald McCoy a day after the veteran defensive tackle suffered a season-ending torn quad tendon during a team drill on Monday. The six-time Pro Bowl selection signed a three-year, $18.3 million contract in March, but an attached injury waiver on the said agreement has allowed the team to release him, cutting short a stint where he is supposed to play a major role.

McCoy had been on track to earn $3.25 million this season - $2.5 million in base salary and $750,000 in roster bonus – but the waiver on the contract will “nullify any money due to be earned beyond his $3 million signing bonus,” according to USA Today.

It seemed that the Cowboys management had already known what was about to come as NFL Network's Nick Shook claims the injury waiver was imperative on McCoy’s signing and that both parties would not have come into a deal unless the 32-year-old agreed on the attachment.

The said waiver was specific on a quad injury given McCoy’s health history, particularly his struggles when he played for the Carolina Panthers last season.

"In the event this NFL Player Contract is terminated due to deterioration or aggravation of the physical condition set forth in Paragraph 35 of this addendum or due to any other injury to Player's Right Quad Tendon that is related to the pre-existing condition set forth in Paragraph 35, then this Guarantee is null and void,” a portion of McCoy’s contract stated, as obtained by NFL Network.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones could not hide his frustration upon learning about McCoy’s injury. After all, the 10-year-veteran was deemed as a major signing in their blueprint to upgrade their defensive line heading into the next season.

“It’s certainly disappointing,” Jones lamented. “We’re first and foremost disappointed about Gerald, but also it’s disappointing for us. He was one of our major acquisitions there in the offseason in free agency.

“Unfortunately, that’s why you have to have a deep roster.”

Despite being saddled with injury issues, McCoy was able to start in all 16 games in 2019 as he tallied 37 total tackles, five sacks, and two pass deflections, making him still one of the most reliable defenders in the league.