Cowboys cut LB Jaylon Smith

The Dallas Cowboys are releasing linebacker Jaylon Smith in what could be considered a cost-cutting move because of a guaranteed salary next season in the case of an injury.

Smith’s role had been reduced after Micah Parsons was drafted 12th overall this year and the Cowboys moved freeagent pickup Keanu Neal to linebacker from safety. The move can’t become official before Wednesday.

The decision won’t save the Cowboys any money on Smith’s $9.8 million salary cap figure this year, but protects them from his $9.2 million salary for 2022 becoming guaranteed if he gets injured.

The team said on its website that attempts to trade Smith were unsuccessful.

Dallas drafted Smith in the second round in 2016 knowing he wouldn’t play as a rookie because of a significant left knee injury sustained in his final game with Notre Dame at the Fiesta Bowl.

Smith signed a $64 million, five-year extension before the 2019 season. About $34 million of that contract was guaranteed.

Even with Neal out for a second consecutive game because of COVID-19 protocols Sunday against Carolina, Smith played just 28 snaps. Neal is expected to return from the COVID-19 reserve list this week against the New York Giants.

NFL

GORDON ACTIVATED TO ROSTER » The Kansas City Chiefs are adding

Josh Gordon to their 53man roster and the wide receiver, who was just reinstated by the NFL last week, is expected to play in Sunday night’s AFC title game rematch against the Buffalo Bills.

The Chiefs signed Gordon, who had finished his sixth suspension for violations of NFL policies, to the practice squad last week with the assumption that he would join the active roster when he learned enough of the playbook.

“I’m just going to see how he does this week and talk to him,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday, when asked whether Gordon would play against the Bills.

MLB

VETS READY FOR NL WILDCARD GAME» Two wily veterans on the mound in an elimination game. Adam Wainwright starting for the reinvigorated St. Louis Cardinals against the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Scherzer, pitching as well as he ever has.

“It’s as fun as it gets, right?” Wainwright said, smiling.

Indeed, though neither team wanted to be in the position of playing in the NL wild-card game.

The Cardinals (90-72) rode a 17-game winning streak into the second wild-card spot.

The Dodgers’ mark of 106-56 was the second-best in baseball behind the rival San Francisco Giants (10755), who ended LA’s streak of eight straight NL West titles on the final day of the regular season.

“There’s no crying in baseball,” he said. “You have to win your division. We didn’t win our division.”