The Cowboys cut defensive tackle Cedric Thornton, as Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets. His $3MM base salary was guaranteed for this year, so Dallas will be on the hook for that sum. 
Thornton signed a four-year deal with Dallas worth $17MM last year but disappointed in his Dallas debut. The former undrafted free agent compiled only 22 tackles and 1.5 sacks on the year. The Cowboys were hoping he’d bounce back this summer, but they didn’t see the results they were looking for.
Ultimately, the Cowboys paid Thornton $6MM for one season of work. They’ll take on $1.25MM in dead money this season and $2.5MM in 2018.
Dallas was already thin along the defensive line given that David Irving and Damontre Moore will begin the 2018 season on the suspended list. First-round pick Taco Charlton figures to start opposite Tyrone Crawford at defensive end.