Now that the Cowboys are no longer in contention for a playoff spot, the team has decided to cut veteran linebacker Justin Durant, reports David Moore of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). The Cowboys have promoted linebacker Tre’Von Johnson from the practice squad to replace Durant on the active roster.
Durant, 32, was in his fourth year as a member of the Cowboys. He signed with Dallas prior to last season and was also on the team in 2013 and 2014. The veteran linebacker played in just seven games this season due to injury, collecting a combined 13 tackles while on the field.
This was a notable step down from what he’s done in the past as he appeared in double-digit games all but once since he entered the league as a second round pick by the Jaguars in 2007.
Durant was clearly behind fellow middle linebackers Anthony Hitchens and Jaylon Smith on the depth chart, so without anything to play for in Week 17, the coaching staff probably felt that they should get some younger players more exposure to regular season game action.
The Cowboys will face the Eagles in Week 17 in an attempt to finish above-.500 for the second year in a row.