Day after being hurt, DT Mccoy cut by Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday released defensive tackle Gerald Mccoy, one day after the newcomer sustained a season-ending leg injury.

Mccoy tore his right quadriceps muscle Monday while engaging defensive tackle Antwaun Woods during an individual drill. It was the first padded practice of training camp for the Cowboys.

The injury waiver means the Cowboys will pay only the $3 million signing bonus on the $18 million, three-year contract Mccoy signed as a free agent during the offseason.

Mccoy, 32, was the first of four significant additions on the defensive line in free agency. He and Dontari Poe were expected to help fill the middle while pass rushers Aldon Smith and Everson Griffen were added to make things a little easier for Demarcus Lawrence on the outside.

The Cowboys on Tuesday activated Poe off the physically unable to perform list, clearing him for his first practice when workouts resume Thursday. Poe, 30, going into his ninth season, missed the final five games in Carolina last season after tearing a quad muscle.

The Cowboys also signed offensive tackle Pace Murphy.

■ Falcons: Running back Todd Gurley and center Alex Mack did not participate Tuesday in the team’s first practice in full pads. The official reason from the team was load management.

■ Lions: Rookie defensive tackle Jashon Cornell was carted off the practice field after appearing to injure his lower left leg. Detroit coach Matt Patricia said that the injury to the former Ohio State standout was pretty serious but declined to give more details.

■ Jets: Wide receiver Vyncint Smith had surgery Tuesday to repair a core muscle injury and could be sidelined up to two months. Coach Adam Gase confirmed the procedure and prognosis, saying Smith will likely miss five to eight weeks.

■ Browns: Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb has been placed in concussion protocol after being tackled around the neck by starting linebacker Mack Wilson during the team’s first fully padded practice on Monday. Wilson, who was demoted to the second-team defense for hurting his teammate, sustained a left knee injury while breaking up a pass and had to be carted off the field.

Cardinals: Cornerback Robert Alford will likely miss a second straight season because of an injury suffered during the preseason. Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury confirmed on Tuesday that Alford will miss four to six months. Kingsbury did not specify the injury, but the NFL Network reported that the cornerback tore a pectoral muscle during practice on Sunday.

■ Bears: Mitchell Trubisky is having a strong camp in his battle with Nick Foles for starting quarterback. Teammates notice that he’s more vocal.

“I think it’s a combination of everything, just realizing this is the last year of my contract,” he said. “Being hurt last year and not playing up to my own expectations, I think going 8-8, having a quarterback competition, and just the desire to want to go out to continue to chase greatness.”

Texans: J.J. Watt, who because of injuries has been limited to one full season in the last four, has been superb in camp, said coach Bill O’brien.

“There are things that you see for a man of his size and athletic ability every day you definitely say to yourself: ‘Wow, that’s a pretty special player right there,’ ” O’brien said.

Watt said months of staying at home because of the pandemic left him with nothing to do besides work out and that he’s in his best shape in years.

Vikings: Minnesota signed linebacker Hardy Nickerson for depth on Tuesday.

■ Social justice: Detroit safety Tracy Walker said he plans to wear the name of his cousin Ahmaud Arbery on the back of his helmet to honor him this season. Arbery was killed by two white men while jogging near his hometown of Brunswick, Georgia. Arbery’s death became a national story after the video of his death was released.