Dallas will not pick up the three-year option on defensive tackle Henry Melton’s contract, making him a free agent in March, according to The Dallas Morning News.
With the Cowboys facing expensive contract decisions on potential free agents DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant, NFL.com reports that the team will look to replace Melton with a less-expensive alternative.
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The team had signed the 28-year-old lineman to a one-year deal before last season, with a three-year, $24 million option. Melton, a 2012 Pro Bowl selection with Chicago, played only three games with the Bears in the 2013 season before tearing his ACL.
Although Melton returned to action last season, he did not have the impact the Cowboys had hoped for, finishing with 15 tackles and five sacks in 16 games. He suffered a bruised right knee in the final regular season contest and missed the Cowboys’ two playoff games.