With Tuesday's release of rookie wide receiver Dwayne Harris, the Cowboys are a step closer to declaring a total loss on the back half of their 2011 draft.
Harris, a sixth-round pick from East Carolina, becomes the third draftee waived by the team this year, following fifth-round cornerback Josh Thomas of Buffalo, and seventh-round fullback Shaun Chapas from Georgia.
Bill Nagy, the seventh-round guard who started four games before breaking his ankle Sunday, has been placed on the injured reserve, ending his season, and leaving the Cowboys without the entire back half of their eight-man haul from April.
Thomas, who was released on the final preseason cuts, was picked up by Carolina. Harris, who has appeared in every game for the Cowboys this season, would be a candidate to be claimed on waivers Wednesday because of an impressive performance in the preseason, the five catches, 127 yards and two touchdowns he had against Denver in the exhibition opener.
The top half of the draft has been more productive, with first-round tackle Tyron Smith fairing all right as a starter, and third-rounder DeMarco Murray picking up a rotational role in the backfield. Second-round pick Bruce Carter is expected to practice for the first time this season on Wednesday, following a stint on the Non-Football Injury list while recovering from a torn ACL last November. Fourth-round guard David Arkin has been inactive every game.
Only three of the Cowboys' six draft picks from 2010 remain on the 53-man roster, Dez Bryant, Sean Lee and Sean Lissemore, and only four of the 12 draftee from 2009 are still with the team.
