Cowboys Release Ratliff

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After denying earlier in the week that Jay Ratliff would be waived, the Dallas Cowboys released the veteran defensive tackle under a failed physical designation on Wednesday.

Ratliff, 32, had not played this year. He was placed on the physically unable to perform list before the season with sports hernia and hamstring injuries but was eligible to be activated from the PUP this week.

The 2005 seventh-round draft pick went to four Pro Bowls during his eight-year career with the Cowboys. Last year, he was limited to six games and had 25 tackles with no sacks.

NBC Sports reported during the Cowboys’ Sunday night victory over the Washington Redskins that the team was planning to make the move with Ratliff. However, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Monday that such a move was not imminent.

Ratliff signed a five-year, $48.6 million contract extension in 2011. The move allows the Cowboys to avoid paying his $1.34 million base salary this season and roll over the the majority of his $10.268 million cap charge to next year, the team’s website reported.